‘You Can’t Become President Through Deceit’ — Umahi Tackles Peter Obi, Defends Tinubu’s Legacy Projects

By Pan Afric Reporters

Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, has declared that no politician can attain Nigeria’s highest office through deception, urging political leaders to embrace honesty, accountability and transparency as essential ingredients of credible leadership.

Umahi made the remarks on Friday during an inspection of Section Two of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Superhighway in Epe, Lagos State, where he also defended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s flagship infrastructure projects and took a swipe at former Anambra State Governor and Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi.

The position was contained in a statement issued by the Office of the Honourable Minister of Works and signed by Francis Nwaze, FIPMD, Senior Special Assistant to the Honourable Minister of Works (Media), dated June 20, 2026.

The Minister expressed concern over reports circulating on social media alleging that Peter Obi had promised to discontinue President Tinubu’s legacy infrastructure projects if elected President.

“When my brother Peter Obi said, as I saw on social media, that he would stop the legacy projects, that was a very painful statement. I hope he didn’t say so. But I know Nigerians will reject that position,” Umahi said.

Describing honesty as a fundamental requirement for leadership, the Minister stated that political actors must be prepared to own their past decisions and actions rather than attempt to rewrite history.

“One of the things I hate most is deceit,” he declared.

Drawing from his experience as former Deputy Governor of Ebonyi State and later Governor of the state, Umahi said he was familiar with political developments in the Southeast, particularly during Obi’s tenure as Governor of Anambra State and Chairman of the Southeast Governors’ Forum.

“I was Deputy Governor when my brother, His Excellency Peter Obi, was Governor of Anambra State and Chairman of the Southeast Governors’ Forum. I know his position on IPOB. I know the disagreement between him and Nnamdi Kanu. I know his feelings and the actions he took, which he was entitled to take,” he said.

According to Umahi, leaders should be forthright about their records and positions on critical issues affecting the region.

“But he should be man enough to own those actions and not come before Nigerians and say, ‘Oh, this man did not say anything. He was just talking,’ as though it was harmless,” he added.

Southeast Leaders Working for Peace

The Minister stressed that governors and political leaders in the Southeast have continued to support efforts aimed at restoring peace and pursuing political solutions to regional challenges, including issues surrounding the detention of IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu.

“The governors of the Southeast are doing everything possible, and we are supporting them in ensuring a peaceful Southeast while also exploring political ways of helping our brother, Nnamdi Kanu,” Umahi said.

He further criticised Obi’s perceived silence during periods of insecurity and the enforcement of the controversial Monday sit-at-home order in parts of the Southeast.

“Nobody should joke with the thousands of Southeast people who were killed in the process. He has not been honest with our people. People sit at home every Monday, and he has not spoken against it. He simply wants to become President by all means, and that is not good for our people. Let us know the truth. Deceit will not help us,” he stated.

Lagos-Calabar Highway Reflects Tinubu’s Vision

Turning to the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Superhighway project, Umahi described the initiative as a testament to President Tinubu’s foresight and commitment to national development.

“This project that someone is said to have promised to stop, and I hope he never said so, is highly innovative. I only saw it on social media,” he said.

The Minister challenged members of the Obedient Movement and other Nigerians to objectively compare the governance records of President Tinubu and Peter Obi during their respective tenures as governors.

“I have challenged the Obedient Movement to compare President Bola Tinubu’s record as Governor of Lagos State with that of Peter Obi as Governor of Anambra State. Let us see the master plans each of them created. Let us see the projects that lived beyond their tenure,” Umahi stated.

According to him, the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Superhighway stands as tangible evidence of Tinubu’s long-term development philosophy.

“Today, we are standing on the Coastal Highway, which shows the vision of President Bola Tinubu beyond his time as Governor,” he said.

He also pointed to ongoing efforts to develop infrastructure around the River Niger corridor, arguing that earlier implementation of such projects would have significantly accelerated economic growth in the Southeast.

“We had opportunities such as dredging the River Niger. If that had happened earlier, as is being pursued now, it would have helped the Southeast tremendously. We would have built bigger roads and delivered more infrastructure,” he noted.

Reaffirms Support for Tinubu

Umahi used the occasion to reiterate his political support for President Tinubu, revealing that stakeholders in Ebonyi State had already endorsed the President’s leadership.

“We recently adopted President Tinubu in Ebonyi State. I will not stop speaking. I will not stop defending Nigerians and our people,” he declared.

In a strongly worded political statement, the Minister dismissed suggestions that the Obedient Movement enjoys significant support in his home state.

“I want everybody to know that Ebonyi is not for the Obedient Movement. Our loyalty is to President Bola Tinubu, and so is that of the entire Southeast. People will see it,” he said.

Expressing confidence in the future political trajectory of the region, Umahi concluded with a prophetic declaration.

“Mark my words. I am also a prophet and a priest. Mark my words, and it will come to pass by the power of God.”

The remarks come amid growing political conversations ahead of future electoral contests, with major political actors positioning themselves around issues of governance, infrastructure development, economic growth and national unity.