Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, said it is not yet the Igbo’s turn to produce Nigeria’s president, insistingthe South East will have its opportunity in the future
Umahi made the statement on Thursday in Benin City while speaking at the ‘Operation Rescue Benin Asaba Road’ event, where he also said President Bola Tinubu should remain in office
“What we are saying is that it is not the turn of Igbos yet I heard today one charlatan was saying, ‘Oh no, the Igbos can never be president.’ We will one day become president, but it is not yet our turn; it is the turn of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” Umahi said.
The minister also rejected suggestions that former Anambra State governor and presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Peter Obi, was superior to him
Umahi said there was no area in which Obi could be considered better than him, citing their family backgrounds, intellectual capacity, records of service and contributions to the South East
Reacting to comments by one Awuzi, who he said accused the Igbo of insulting Obi, Umahi said he did not believe any reasonable person would insult the former Anambra governor
He, however, described Obi as “a lucky person” and defended members of the Tinubu administration against those criticising the President’s record
“If you are challenging President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the president is working and is using us to work and you expect us to keep quiet, we are not keeping quiet,” Umahi said
He added, “When you condemn people you bring judgement upon yourself When you say you are holier than angels, we have to analyse to know if it is true.”
Umahi also questioned claims that Obi was not his “match”, asking those making such comparisons to identify areas where the former Anambra governor was superior to him
“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,” he said
On the Benin Asaba Road, Umahi said the Federal Government had begun temporary intervention on the 136 kilometre road and disclosed that President Tinubu had directed that the road be redesigned with reinforced concrete pavement
“The President has directed whether under concessioning or under the takeover of the Ministry of Works that the entire 136km dualisation should be redesigned on reinforced concrete pavement,” he said
Umahi also said there would be immediate intervention on the Benin Bypass