Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has dismissed Works Minister Dave Umahi’s invitation to a public debate, saying the minister must first become a presidential candidate before challenging him.
Obi made the remark during an interview with media entrepreneur Chude Jideonwo while responding to questions about Umahi’s call for a debate following his criticism of the condition of some federal roads.
The former Anambra State governor argued that the issue had already been resolved, noting that his criticism of a deteriorating road had prompted the government to begin repairs.
“First of all, 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.”
Obi maintained that if Umahi intended to challenge him in his capacity as a presidential candidate, the minister would first have to qualify for that position.
“If he is inviting me to a debate as a presidential candidate, then he has to become a presidential candidate first.”
Explaining his position, Obi likened the situation to a football team that failed to qualify for the FIFA World Cup attempting to challenge one that had already earned its place in the tournament.
“The World Cup is going on now. 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. No. There is a qualification process.”
He added that presidential debates are traditionally reserved for candidates seeking the nation’s highest office, insisting that such engagements should be between presidential contenders rather than ministers or other public office holders.
“I am a presidential candidate. Around the world, not all presidential candidates participate in debates. It is usually the leading candidates. It is like someone in Division One asking a Premier League team to play a match. No. You compete within your own level. When he becomes a presidential candidate, then he can debate with those who are in that category,” he added.
Umahi had earlier dismissed Obi’s criticism of the Tinubu administration and challenged him to a debate on the Federal Government’s performance, insisting that President Bola Tinubu’s infrastructure projects and appointments had transformed the South-East
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