The Minister of Works, Sen. Dave Umahi, has cautioned members of the Obidient Movement, the support group of the 2027 Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) Presidential candidate, Peter Obi, against insulting him.
Umahi gave the warning during his address at the flag-off ceremony of the Babban-Lamba Sharam (Phase II) in Kanke Local Government Area of Plateau State on Thursday.
The minister called for objective criticism of his works.
However maintained that the Obidient Movement has no right to insult him as he highlighted his credentials, charging the group to compare what he did in Ebonyi state during his time as governor of the state and what Obi did while he was Anambra state governor.
“For the Obidients insulting me, be very objective. I have been Party Chairman, Deputy Governor, Governor, Senator, and Minister.
“Then put credentials of your principal and then let us see what I did as Governor of Ebonyi State and what he did.
“You have no right to insult me. But if you must insult me, insult me constructively.” Umahi said.
The minister’s statement is coming amid backlash over his challenge against Obi.
NPO Reported that the minister had on Wednesday challenged the NDC Presidential candidate for a debate while faulting his post on the deplorable state of the Asaba-Benin Road.
Obi had last week shared pictures of himself assessing a bad portion of the federal road which was spotted with large potholes and heavily waterlogged.
The former Anambra governor, in the post, decried the poor state of the road while condemning the FG’s construction of new road projects rather than fixing the old, dilapidated ones.
Reacting during his address at the launching of the Akwanga-Jos Superhighway construction, Umahi expressed his disappointment with Obi.
The minister accused the NDC Presidential candidate of reducing governance to comedy.
“I feel so sad when my brother, the former governor of Anambra state who should know what administration and governance is.
‘I saw on social media where he got to a point where the road is bad and he snapped it.
“When did governance reduce to comedy?” He said.
Umahi further accused Obi of attacking his integrity while challenging the ex-Anambra governor to a debate.
“He was attacking my integrity and personality. I am always ready for a debate.” He said.