Minister of Works, David Umahi, has explained why he believes those defending President Bola Tinubu cannot remain silent when former Anambra State governor and presidential candidate Peter Obi criticises the administration.
Umahi made the remarks while speaking in Benin City during the “Operation Rescue Benin-Asaba Road” event, where he also addressed comments about the relationship between Obi and some people from the South-East.
The minister dismissed claims that Igbo people were insulting Obi, saying he did not believe any reasonable person would deliberately insult the former Anambra governor.
However, Umahi said he would continue to respond whenever Obi challenges Tinubu or his administration, insisting that members of the government have a right to defend the President’s record.
He also took a swipe at Obi’s repeated use of the phrase “go and verify”, saying he believes people have attempted to verify some of the former governor’s claims without finding the evidence they expected.
Umahi said:
“They say Igbos keep Insulting Peter Obi, but we won’t keep quiet until he stop attacking and discrediting President Tinubu. Peter obi is a lucky man cos he always say ‘go and verify’ and we’ll try to verify and we’ll eventually find nothing”
The minister’s comments come amid ongoing political exchanges between supporters of Obi and the Tinubu administration ahead of the 2027 presidential election. Umahi has also recently rejected comparisons suggesting that Obi is superior to him, arguing that their backgrounds, intellectual capacity, records of service and contributions to the South-East can all be considered.
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