Minister of Works, David Umahi, has said the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, declined his invitation to a public debate because he would not have been able to defend his record in office when compared with his own achievements.

Umahi made the claim in a statement issued on Sunday by his Special Adviser on Media, Francis Nwaze, while reacting to Obi’s recent comments rejecting the proposed debate.

The disagreement followed Umahi’s challenge to Obi to a public debate, with both men having served two terms each as governors of Ebonyi and Anambra states, respectively.

Obi had dismissed the invitation, arguing that presidential debates are meant for candidates seeking the nation’s highest office and not for individuals who are not contesting the presidency.

Responding, Umahi maintained that Obi misunderstood the essence of the proposed engagement, insisting that the debate was never about political ambition, electoral status or future contests.

According to the minister, the objective was to provide Nigerians with an opportunity to compare the performance of two former governors and assess whose administration delivered greater development and impact.
He said many Nigerians had anticipated what could have been a significant public conversation on governance and accountability but were disappointed by Obi’s decision to decline the invitation.

“Many Nigerians expected what could have been one of the most consequential conversations on public service in recent times. Instead, Mr. Obi declined the invitation, explaining that he is currently a presidential candidate while Senator Umahi is not.

“Yet, the challenge was never about electoral status. It was about accountability. It was about inviting two former governors to present their records before Nigerians and allow the public to judge whose leadership produced the greater impact.

“If governance is measured by performance, political ambition should not prevent an honest comparison of records,” the statement quoted Umahi as saying.

The minister further argued that public office holders should be willing to subject their records to public scrutiny, regardless of their current political aspirations, stressing that accountability remains a fundamental pillar of democratic governance.

Obi has maintained that the proposed debate was inappropriate, insisting that presidential debates are reserved for candidates contesting the office of President and should not be extended to individuals outside the race.