Minister of Works, David Umahi, has challenged the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, to an open debate on governance, accusing the former Anambra State governor of attacking his integrity and personality.
Umahi threw the challenge on Wednesday while speaking at the inauguration of the construction of the Akwanga–Jos Super Highway, where he also criticised Obi’s recent comments about the condition of some federal roads.
According to the minister, the reinforced concrete road technology being adopted by the administration of President Bola Tinubu is an innovative solution aimed at improving the country’s road infrastructure.
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“I feel so sad when my brother, the former governor of Anambra State, who should understand what administration and governance is, got to a point where the road is bad, snapped it and posted it on social media,” Umahi said.
“When did governance reduce to comedy? He was attacking my integrity and personality, and I’m always ready for a debate with him.”
Umahi said governance is a collective responsibility and should not be reduced to assigning blame to the President alone.
“The President is not here today, but I have to be the President by performing the job he assigned to me,” he said.
“So governance is the responsibility of everybody. Look at our infrastructure being destroyed and vehicles parked on our roads. Must the President go there and stand there?
“We take responsibility. If anything goes wrong in the Ministry of Works, I take responsibility and not the President. So, I want to commend the President very highly,” he added.