The Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, has leveled accusations against Peter Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), alleging that Obi is inciting the Igbos against the Bola Tinubu government.
Umahi, a former Governor of Ebonyi State, made these claims during an event to compensate property owners affected by the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway project in Abuja on Wednesday.
Umahi asserted that Obi is deliberately leading some people of the Southeast astray, particularly those who are not well-informed, regarding the controversial project.
He accused Obi of failing to fight for the people even after getting them into trouble, insinuating that Obi’s actions are politically motivated.
The 700-kilometre coastal highway project has been surrounded by controversy, especially after the demolition of the Landmark Beach Resort, valued at $200 million, to create a right of way for the project.
Despite public outcry, the federal government is moving forward with the project, estimated to cost N15 trillion.
In response to the developments, Obi criticized the Tinubu administration in a social media post on Tuesday, condemning the continuation of the highway project despite public opposition.
However, Umahi refuted claims of inhumanity towards Landmark Beach Resort, stating that he was actively involved in the matter and that it should be put to rest. He accused Obi of condemning people and bringing judgment upon himself, warning him to stop playing politics with the project.
He said: “It brings to some of the comments made by my brother, his Excellency Mr Peter Obi, I am not supposed to comment about it because some people have already done the work. And I know what Arise Television brought courtesy of Channels Television, they were bringing similar scenarios when His Excellency Peter Obi was the governor. He made a statement saying ”Any infrastructure that stands in the way of the road must go. And there would be no compensation paid.” That’s what he said.
“But look at me, by the human face of the renewed hope agenda administration, we are even paying for people who are illegally staying on the coastal line, and don’t have valid infrastructure and valid documents. That is mercy, that’s mercy… You know some people darken counsel without knowledge. You know there’s the devil in the details.
“When you condemn people, you bring judgment upon yourself. And that is what he (Obi) has done. And I think he’s inciting some of the south east people that are not well informed. He is inciting them. And gets them into trouble. And he doesn’t go to fight for them. Wisdom is a defence. And I want our people to have wisdom because I am involved.
“There’s is no inhumanity meted to Landmark, that matters should be buried because I was there. And so we fought everything possible. Even some people donated property to save his two big infrastructures. That’s appreciation. But some people have taken sides along with him to play politics.”
