‘You’ll Be Alive to Contest and Lose Again’ — Umahi Fires Back at Peter Obi

• Minister of Works David Umahi has dismissed Peter Obi’s claim that his life is at risk ahead of the 2027 election.

Minister of Works, David Umahi, has dismissed Peter Obi’s claim that his life could be in danger ahead of the 2027 general election, insisting that no one wishes the former Anambra State governor dead.

Speaking during an inspection of ongoing federal road projects in Ebonyi State, Umahi said Obi would remain alive to contest the next presidential election but predicted he would suffer another defeat at the polls.

“Nobody wants Obi dead; it’s not just reasonable. We all want him alive to contest this election and watch himself lose again,” the minister said.

Umahi’s remarks followed comments made by Obi during an interview in which the former Labour Party presidential candidate alleged that the Tinubu administration was frustrating his livelihood, targeting opposition figures and creating an atmosphere that made him fear for his safety.

Obi claimed that virtually everything he does for a living was being deliberately obstructed because of his political stance and suggested that, if given the opportunity, the current administration could ensure he was not alive before the 2027 election.

Reacting to the allegations, Umahi described Obi’s fears as unfounded, arguing that his concerns stem from his belief that the South-East remains firmly behind him following the 2023 presidential election.

The former Ebonyi State governor, however, said the political landscape in the region has changed under President Bola Tinubu, citing ongoing federal infrastructure projects and appointments given to people from the South-East.

According to him, those developments have strengthened support for the President across the region.

“We have come with visible development in the zone, and our people have now agreed with us that we are better off with President Tinubu to complete the good works he is doing for us than playing Artificial Intelligence kind of politics,” Umahi stated.

He also challenged Obi to a public debate on the achievements of the Tinubu administration, saying he was prepared to defend the government’s record on infrastructure development and inclusiveness.

In the interview that sparked the exchange, Obi alleged that he had been denied certain entitlements and subjected to repeated harassment because of his criticism of the Federal Government.

He cited an incident at the Lagos airport where he claimed his vehicle was clamped while other vehicles parked in the same location were left untouched.

Obi also alleged that some Nigerians now avoid greeting him publicly for fear of becoming targets of the government.

The Presidency has, however, dismissed the allegations, with presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga describing Obi’s claims as unfounded and misleading.

Onanuga accused the opposition figure of promoting a victimhood narrative to gain public sympathy and maintained that the Tinubu administration has no reason to target either his business interests or his political activities.