Minister of Works, Umahi Faults Peter Obi Over Nnamdi Kanu Remarks, Accuses Him of Rewriting History

Minister of Works and former Governor of Ebonyi State, David Umahi, has criticised the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, over his recent comments on the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.

Umahi accused Obi of attempting to rewrite history by suggesting that Kanu committed no offence beyond insulting political leaders and agitating against the alleged marginalisation of the South-East.

Obi had reportedly made the remarks while addressing Nigerians in the Diaspora during an event in the United States, where he argued that Kanu’s actions amounted mainly to criticism of political leaders and advocacy for the rights of the Igbo people.

Reacting during an inspection of ongoing federal road projects, Umahi said he was surprised by Obi’s comments, insisting that the former Anambra State governor was well aware of the complexities surrounding the IPOB leader’s activities.

“One of the things I hate so much is deceit,” Umahi said.

“I was deputy governor when my brother Peter Obi was governor of Anambra State, and he was also chairman of the South-East Governors’ Forum. I know his position on IPOB. I know the disagreement between him and Nnamdi Kanu, and I know the actions he took, which were appropriate at the time.

“But he should be man enough to own those actions and not come out now to tell Nigerians that Nnamdi Kanu merely spoke and that it was harmless.”

The minister argued that the activities linked to IPOB and the enforcement of the sit-at-home order had caused significant hardship and loss of lives across the South-East.

According to him, no responsible leader should trivialise the impact of the insecurity that accompanied the agitation.

“In as much as South-East governors are doing everything possible and we are supporting efforts to secure lasting peace in the region and find a political solution to Nnamdi Kanu’s matter, nobody should joke with the lives that were lost,” he said.

Umahi claimed that more than 80,000 people were killed as a result of the crisis that engulfed parts of the South-East, adding that political leaders owed the public an honest account of events.

“He has not been honest with our people. The sit-at-home every Monday has affected the economy and the lives of our people, yet he has not spoken strongly against it. He just wants to be president by all means, and that is not good for our people. Let us know the truth,” he said.

The minister also challenged Obi to compare his developmental record as governor of Anambra State with that of President Bola Tinubu during his tenure as governor of Lagos State.

He argued that Tinubu’s policies and developmental vision continued to influence governance long after he left office.

“Put President Bola Tinubu when he was governor of Lagos State side by side with Peter Obi when he was governor of Anambra State. Let us see the master plan he made and what has endured beyond his tenure.

“You have seen the impact of President Tinubu beyond his years as governor. Let us see the same thing from Peter Obi,” Umahi said.

This report was originally produced by Ondo Press News.