The Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, has firmly dismissed claims that he cannot be compared to Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).

 

Speaking in Benin City on Thursday, September 24, Umahi challenged the narrative that Obi operates on a higher level, asserting that his own background, intellectual capacity, and track record of public service stand toe-to-toe with anything the former Anambra State governor has achieved.

 

### "Tell Me What Peter Obi Is Better At"

 

Addressing recent public remarks suggesting he wasn't in the same league as Obi, the former Ebonyi State governor explained that he took time to carefully analyze the claim before responding.

 

> *"And when that guy says that Peter Obi is not my match, it took me ten minutes to think about it; is it in my larger family background that his is better than my own? Is it in intellectual capacity? Is it in what we have done for the people of South-East? Is it what we did when we were governors? So, when you say he is not a match, put it side by side and tell me what Peter Obi is better than this Dave Umahi,"* Umahi declared.

 

### Positioning for the Presidency: "It Is the Turn of Tinubu"

 

Beyond the personal comparison, Umahi weighed in on the ongoing debate surrounding the Nigerian presidency and South-East political representation.

 

Dismissing anti-Igbo commentary from political critics, Umahi clarified his stance on the political calendar, arguing that while an Igbo presidency is inevitable in the future, the present political cycle belongs to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

 

> *"What we are saying is that it is not the turn of Igbos yet. I heard... one charlatan that was saying ‘oh no, the Igbos can never be president’. That guy will not be alive when the Igbos become president because we will one day become president—but it is not yet our turn, it is the turn of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,"* Umahi added.