The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has dismissed an invitation by the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, to engage in a public debate, saying the minister must first become a presidential candidate before challenging him.
Obi made the remark during an interview with media personality Chude Jideonwo while responding to questions about Umahi’s recent call for a debate.
The minister had challenged Obi after the former Anambra State governor criticised the Federal Government over the condition of a road. Umahi defended the Tinubu administration’s infrastructure projects, particularly in the South-East, and urged Obi to debate the issues publicly.
Responding, Obi said the debate had effectively ended once the government began fixing the road he had criticised.
“I already started the debate by standing on that road and saying the road was bad. The only reply should have been that the road was good. But I thank him because he is now repairing the road, so the debate is closed. There is nothing else to debate,” he said.
Obi further argued that if Umahi was inviting him to debate in the capacity of a presidential candidate, he would first need to become one.
Drawing an analogy with football, Obi said only candidates in the same category should engage in such debates.
“You cannot stay outside and invite a team that qualified for the World Cup to come and play against you simply because you think you are good. There is a qualification process. I am a presidential candidate, and when he becomes a presidential candidate, then he can debate with those who are in that category,” he said.
Umahi has yet to publicly respond to Obi’s latest remarks.