Nigeria’s Minister of Works, David Umahi, has challenged supporters of former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi to compare the records of Obi and President Bola Tinubu, saying Nigerians should judge leaders based on visible achievements and long-term development plans.
Umahi made the statement on Friday, 19 June during an inspection of Section 2 of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Superhighway in Epe, Lagos State.
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He said political arguments ahead of future elections should focus on what leaders achieved while in office rather than on campaign promises or social media narratives.
“I have challenged the Obedient Movement to compare President Bola Tinubu’s record as Governor of Lagos State with that of Peter Obi as Governor of Anambra State,” Umahi said.
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“Let us see the master plans each of them created. Let us see the projects that lived beyond their tenure.”
Leadership, he believed, should be assessed through projects and policies that continue to benefit people long after a public officer leaves office.
Umahi pointed to the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Superhighway as an example of what he described as Tinubu’s long-term vision for development. He argued that the project reflects ideas and planning that extend beyond Tinubu’s time as governor of Lagos State.
“Today, we are standing on the Coastal Highway, which shows the vision of President Bola Tinubu beyond his time as Governor,” he said.
He also referred to reports circulating on social media claiming that Obi had promised to stop some of the Federal Government’s major infrastructure projects if elected president.
He said such a position would be disappointing if it was true, but noted that he only saw the claim online and could not confirm whether Obi actually made the statement.
“This project that someone is said to have promised to stop, and I hope he never said so, is highly innovative. I only saw it on social media,” Umahi stated.
Umahi stressed that honesty and accountability remain important qualities in leadership. He said politicians seeking the nation’s highest office should be open about their past actions and decisions.
“One of the things I hate most is deceit,” he said.
Umahi also spoke about political developments in the South-East and efforts by leaders in the region to maintain peace while pursuing political solutions to issues affecting the area.
He said leaders owe citizens truthful explanations on matters that affect their lives and wellbeing.
Umahi maintained that Nigerians are capable of assessing the performance of political leaders by looking at their records in office. He added that the argument over who should lead the country must be based on facts, achievements and policies that have made a lasting impact on people’s lives.
