The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has accused Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), of initiating their confrontation over the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway mission.
Umahi mentioned he didn’t assault the previous Anambra State governor however was responding to criticism Obi allegedly directed at him throughout a go to to the freeway building website.
The minister made the claims throughout an interview with ARISE News on Friday, insisting that Obi initiated the dispute by publicly criticising his dealing with of the mission.
“We all determine our own destinies. I did not criticise Peter Obi; he started the confrontation by coming to the construction site where I was working and publicly castigating me,” Umahi mentioned.
The former Ebonyi State governor additionally accused Obi of failing to warning his supporters over statements he thought-about inflammatory, notably feedback allegedly suggesting that the previous governor would defeat any opponent in an election.
Umahi cited a reported comment by considered one of Obi’s supporters that even Jesus Christ would lose an election to the NDC presidential candidate.
“One of them reportedly said that even if Jesus contested in an election, Peter Obi would win. That is an affront to our faith, and I expected Peter Obi to speak out against such a statement,” he mentioned.
He argued that Obi ought to have publicly condemned the comment, which he described as offensive to his Christian religion.
The newest change provides to the disagreements between the 2 politicians over the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, a significant federal infrastructure mission that has attracted public debate over its price, priorities and implementation.
Obi had criticised the mission as a misplaced precedence, questioning the federal government’s determination to commit substantial public sources to the freeway amid different urgent nationwide wants.
Umahi, nonetheless, has repeatedly defended the mission, arguing that its engineering specs, tough terrain and supporting infrastructure justify its price.
The minister has additionally accused Obi of inciting individuals from the South-East in opposition to the Federal Government over the freeway.
The dispute has since expanded past the mission’s deserves, with each politicians exchanging criticisms over their respective positions and conduct.
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