The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) for the 2027 general election, Mr Peter Obi, has declined an invitation to a public debate by the Minister of Works, Sen. Dave Umahi, saying the minister must first become a presidential candidate before challenging him.
Obi stated this during an interview with media personality Chude Jideonwo while responding to questions on Umahi’s recent call for a debate.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Umahi had challenged Obi to a public debate after the former Anambra governor criticised the Federal Government over the condition of a road.
The minister had defended the administration’s infrastructure projects, insisting that President Bola Tinubu’s government had transformed the South-East through road construction and strategic appointments.
Responding to the challenge, Obi said he had already made his position known by drawing attention to the poor condition of the road.
“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 said.
He added that if Umahi intended to challenge him in his capacity as a presidential candidate, the minister would first have to attain that status.
“If he is inviting me to a debate as a presidential candidate, then he has to become a presidential candidate first.
“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. There is a qualification process.
“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. You compete within your own circle. When he becomes a presidential candidate, then he can debate with those who are in that category,” Obi said.
