The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has dismissed suggestions that former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi poses a political threat to President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general election.
Speaking during an appearance on ARISE Television’s Daybreak programme on Tuesday, Umahi said neither President Tinubu nor the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) was concerned about Obi’s political influence.
His comments come amid increasing political realignments ahead of the 2027 elections, with reports linking Obi to a proposed opposition alliance involving former New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) presidential candidate, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso.
Reacting to claims that the opposition could pose a serious challenge to the APC, Umahi dismissed the suggestion.
“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,” he said.
“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.”
The minister also criticised Obi’s record as governor of Anambra State, arguing that the former governor lacked the moral authority to call on President Tinubu to resign.
Umahi questioned Obi’s performance while in office, citing what he described as failures in road infrastructure, industrial development, empowerment programmes and other public projects.
“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 members of the Obidient movement of intolerance towards opposing opinions, alleging that individuals who criticise Obi are often subjected to insults, threats and legal action.
Obi has yet to publicly respond to Umahi’s remarks.
