The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has renewed his challenge to the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, to a public debate ahead of the 2027 general election, insisting that he is already “on the ballot” because he is part of President Bola Tinubu’s team.
Umahi made the remarks on Sunday while inspecting an ongoing federal road project. In a video from the inspection, the minister said he had personally told Obi that he considers himself to be on the ballot for the 2027 presidential election as long as President Tinubu seeks a second term in office.
According to him, his place in the Tinubu administration means he is directly involved in the success or failure of the government’s programs, especially major infrastructure projects under his supervision.
“I’ve told him that I’m on the ballot. You know, when President Bola Tinubu is on the ballot, I’m on the ballot,” Umahi said.
He explained that his main concern is to ensure that ongoing road and bridge projects across the country are completed without interruption.
“Because I don’t want this project to stop. I want it to be completed. So I want all of us together to win with President Bola Tinubu,” he added.
Umahi’s latest comments come just days after Obi rejected his invitation to a public debate on their records as former governors.
The Minister had challenged Obi to a public discussion where both men would present their achievements while serving as governors. Umahi governed Ebonyi State from 2015 to 2023 before joining the Federal Executive Council as Minister of Works. Obi served as governor of Anambra State between 2006 and 2014.
However, Obi turned down the invitation, saying Umahi was not the appropriate person for such a debate.
The former Anambra governor reportedly argued that the Minister was not qualified to engage him on issues relating to the 2027 presidential election because he is not a presidential candidate. Obi said Umahi should first become a presidential candidate before proposing such a debate.
That response appears to have prompted Umahi’s latest remarks, where he insisted that he is politically on the ballot because he is campaigning for the re-election of President Tinubu and wants the current administration to continue beyond 2027.
The exchange between the two politicians has drawn attention as political discussions ahead of the next general election gradually begin to gather pace, even though the election is still some time away.
President Tinubu, who assumed office on May 29, 2023, is widely expected to seek a second and final four-year term in 2027, although he has yet to make a formal declaration.
Obi, one of Nigeria’s leading opposition figures, remains a major voice in national politics. After contesting the 2023 presidential election, he has continued to criticise government policies, particularly on the economy, security and governance. His political future has also attracted public interest as attention shifts towards the next election cycle.
Umahi has, on several occasions, defended the Tinubu administration, especially its investments in road infrastructure. As Minister of Works, he has repeatedly said the Federal Government is committed to completing strategic highway projects across the country despite economic challenges.
The minister has also used project inspections to highlight what he describes as the administration’s commitment to improving transport infrastructure, saying better roads are essential for economic growth, trade and national development.
The latest exchange between Umahi and Obi reflects the growing political rivalry among leading figures ahead of 2027. While no official campaign has begun, public statements by key politicians have increasingly focused on governance records, policy achievements and preparations for the next election.
For now, Obi has maintained that he sees no reason to debate Umahi, while the Minister continues to insist that he is a legitimate participant in defending the Tinubu administration’s record because he is part of the government seeking to continue its programs.
With both men standing by their positions, the proposed debate appears unlikely to take place anytime soon. However, their public exchanges have added another dimension to the early political conversations surrounding the 2027 presidential election.
As preparations for the next electoral cycle gradually take shape, Nigerians are expected to witness more political engagements, policy debates and exchanges among key figures seeking to shape public opinion before the official campaign period begins.