Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) for the 2027 general election, has rejected a public debate invitation from Works Minister Dave Umahi, arguing that Umahi would first need to secure a presidential nomination before any such contest could take place.
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Obi made the comments in an interview with media personality Chude Jideonwo, responding to questions about Umahi’s earlier call for the two to debate.
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Umahi had invited Obi to a public debate after the NDC candidate criticised the Federal Government over the condition of a road. In his response at the time, Umahi maintained that President Bola Tinubu’s infrastructure projects and appointments had brought significant transformation to the South-East region.
Responding to Chude’s question on Umahi’s call for a debate, Obi said
“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.
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.
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 circle. When he becomes a presidential candidate, then he can debate with those who are in that category,” he said
Watch a video of him speaking below…
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