2027: Umahi Says Obi ‘Can’t Even Face Me,’ Defends Tinubu’s Re-election Bid

Minister of Works David Umahi has dismissed suggestions that Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, represents a serious political challenge to President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 polls.

Appearing on Arise Television’s Daybreak Show, Umahi said President Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC) have no reason to be concerned about Obi’s political influence, describing the former Anambra governor’s popularity as exaggerated.

“Even I cannot be scared of Peter Obi, not to talk about President Bola Ahmed Tinubu or our party, the APC. What displays around Peter Obi is AI politics. It is putting something on nothing. Nobody is scared of Peter Obi. He is not a threat to our president because Peter Obi himself knows very well that he cannot even face me, let alone face the president,” he said.

Umahi also challenged Obi’s performance during his eight years as governor of Anambra State, saying the former governor lacked the moral standing to demand President Tinubu’s resignation.

“How many times did Peter Obi resign as governor of Anambra State for failure to fix the roads, failure to establish industry, failure to empower people, failure to establish an airport, or failure to establish a seaport? Failure to pay contractors,” the minister queried.

He went on to criticise members of the Obidient Movement, alleging that they respond to dissent with insults, threats and lawsuits instead of engaging in constructive debate.

“Look at the pattern of politics around Peter Obi. You disagree with him, then he takes you to court… Look at the Obidient movement. You disagree, they insult people, they wish people dead, they issue threats and all kinds of things. Is that the kind of behaviour we want?” Umahi said.

Addressing concerns over Nigeria’s economy, the minister argued that President Tinubu inherited deep-rooted economic problems accumulated over several decades, insisting it would be unrealistic to expect a complete turnaround within three years.

“The darkest part of the night is the dawn… When you are healing a wound, you don’t expect the wound to heal overnight. An economy doesn’t turn around instantly within three years,” he said.

Umahi maintained that the administration’s reforms are beginning to produce results and insisted that no opposition presidential hopeful possesses the capacity to match President Tinubu’s achievements.

“Let people be fair, rather than just speaking because they want power. None of the political aspirants or candidates from other parties can do what President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is doing. There are a lot of successes and reforms that are beginning to yield a lot of dividends. None of them can do what this man is doing,” he said.

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