2027: Peter Obi Displaying AI Politics; Myself, Tinubu Never Scared Of Him — Umahi
The minister of works, David Umahi, has dismissed claims that presidential candidate of Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, poses a political threat to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, insisting that neither the president nor the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is intimidated by the former Anambra State governor.
Umahi made the remarks during an appearance on Arise Television's Daybreak Show, amid increasing political conversations ahead of the 2027 general election and sustained criticism of the Tinubu administration by opposition figures, including Obi.
The minister described what he termed Obi's political appeal as "AI politics," arguing that it was built on exaggerated public perception rather than genuine political strength.
“Even I cannot be scared of Peter Obi, not to talk about President Bola Ahmed Tinubu or our party, the APC. What displays around Peter Obi is AI politics. It is putting something on nothing. Nobody is scared of Peter Obi. He is not a threat to our president because Peter Obi himself knows very well that he cannot even face me, let alone face the president,” Umahi said.
Umahi also criticised Obi's eight-year administration in Anambra State, contending that the former governor lacked the moral authority to call on President Tinubu to resign.
“I read where it was said that Peter Obi said Tinubu should resign because of this, and I asked myself: How many times did Peter Obi resign as governor of Anambra State for failure to fix the roads, failure to establish industry, failure to empower people, failure to establish an airport, or failure to establish a seaport? Failure to pay contractors,” he said.
The minister further accused supporters of the Obidient Movement of intolerance towards dissenting opinions, alleging that critics of Obi are frequently subjected to insults, threats and legal action.
“Look at the pattern of politics around Peter Obi. You disagree with him, then he takes you to court. How many times have you been abusing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu? How many people has he taken to court? Look at the Obidient movement. You disagree, they insult people, they wish people dead, they issue threats and all kinds of things. Is that the kind of behaviour we want?” Umahi stated".
He also challenged members of the Obidient Movement to engage him in a public debate on Obi's tenure as governor and the Tinubu administration's reform agenda, maintaining that the government's policies could withstand public scrutiny.
Speaking on the economy, Umahi argued that President Tinubu inherited deep-rooted structural problems accumulated over several decades, stressing that such challenges could not be resolved within three years.
“The darkest part of the night is the dawn. There were so many practices by the previous administration that occasioned us into what President Bola Ahmed Tinubu inherited.
“For those who are crying of hunger, put all the indices on the table. Is it road infrastructure? Is it education? Is it health? Which one has gone worse than how the president inherited it? When you are healing a wound, you don’t expect the wound to heal overnight. An economy doesn’t turn around instantly within three years,” he said.
Umahi maintained that the Tinubu administration's reforms were beginning to produce positive outcomes and argued that the president deserved a second term in office.
“Let people be fair, rather than just speaking because they want power. None of the political aspirants or candidates from other parties can do what President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is doing. There are a lot of successes and reforms that are beginning to yield a lot of dividends. None of them can do what this man is doing,” Umahi added.