Minister of Works, David Umahi, has dismissed suggestions that Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, poses any political threat to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general election.
Speaking on Arise Television’s Daybreak Show on Tuesday, Umahi said neither President Tinubu nor the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) had any reason to fear Obi’s growing political profile, insisting the former Anambra State governor lacked the capacity to challenge the president electorally.
“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,” Umahi said, describing Obi’s popularity as “AI politics” built on perception rather than political substance.
The minister also questioned Obi’s record as governor of Anambra State, arguing that he failed to deliver critical infrastructure, industrial development, job creation and other key projects during his eight-year tenure. He maintained that Obi was therefore not in a position to demand President Tinubu’s resignation over the country’s economic challenges.
Umahi further accused supporters of the Obidient movement of intolerance, alleging that dissenting opinions are frequently met with insults, threats and litigation, a trend he said was unhealthy for Nigeria’s democratic culture.
Defending the Tinubu administration’s economic policies, the minister argued that the government inherited decades of structural challenges and should not be expected to reverse them within three years. He said ongoing reforms were beginning to produce results and called on Nigerians to assess the administration based on measurable improvements across critical sectors, including road infrastructure, education and healthcare.
Reaffirming his support for President Tinubu’s re-election bid, Umahi said the administration’s reforms had laid the foundation for long-term economic recovery, insisting that no opposition presidential aspirant currently possesses the experience or capacity to outperform the president.
