By Sunny A. David, Awka
Minister of Works, David Umahi, has challenged former Anambra State Governor and NDC presidential candidate, Peter Obi, over their respective governance records, saying he performed better than Obi based on what he described as key indices of governance.
Umahi made the remarks while inspecting the ongoing Calabar–Ebonyi–Benue–Kogi–Nasarawa–Abuja Superhighway project.
The minister was responding to comments from some of Obi’s supporters who had questioned whether he could be compared with the former Anambra governor.
According to Umahi, records of their respective tenures would support his position if their performances were assessed across governance and family-life indicators.
“I know that I am better in all the indices of governance and family life, I am better,” he said.
Umahi recalled that he served as deputy governor of Ebonyi State while Obi was governor of Anambra State, noting that both men participated in meetings of the South-East Governors’ Forum, which Obi chaired at the time.
The minister also questioned Obi’s past position on the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and his comments concerning its detained leader, Nnamdi Kanu.
Umahi said Obi had previously taken a strong position against IPOB but had adopted a different tone in some of his more recent comments.
“He fought IPOB to a standstill,” the minister said.
However, Umahi acknowledged that neither he nor Obi was perfect, adding, “Nobody is an angel.”
Beyond the political exchange, Umahi directed contractors handling the superhighway project to accelerate construction and open additional work fronts, particularly on Section Two.
He instructed the contractor to establish at least three work fronts and deploy sufficient manpower and equipment to speed up construction despite the difficult terrain, including rivers and swampy areas.
The minister also directed that buildings should not be demolished solely because they fall within the proposed road alignment.
“My directive is that no building should be touched. Even if it’s within the alignment, I have to come and realign it,” Umahi said.
He explained that the Federal Ministry of Works would continue to make technical adjustments to the alignment where necessary, particularly around sharp curves and built-up areas.
The inspection team said Section One of the project, covering approximately 123 kilometres, had reached 39.33 per cent completion, with rigid pavement construction progressing towards Onueke Junction.
Umahi also called on voters in the South-East and other parts of the country to support President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027, arguing that continuity would help sustain and complete projects planned for the region.
His remarks come amid growing political debate over the governance records of political figures ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
