Former Anambra State Governor and 2027 NDC presidential candidate Peter Obi has dismissed calls for a debate with Works Minister Dave Umahi. He said only a fellow presidential candidate can invite him to such an engagement
ABUJA, FCT — Peter Obi Rejects Umahi Debate, the 2027 NDC presidential candidate Peter Obi, has rejected a call by Dave Umahi, the Minister of Works, for a public debate. Speaking during a recent engagement, Obi said Umahi would first have to become a presidential candidate before inviting him to a presidential debate.
According to a video of the interaction circulating on social media, Obi said, “If he now wants to debate, inviting me as a presidential candidate, he has to go and become a presidential candidate first.” The former Anambra State governor made the remark while responding to questions about Umahi’s earlier comments.
The exchange followed recent remarks by Dave Umahi, who reportedly challenged Obi to a debate over national issues and infrastructure development. As of the time of this report, neither the Federal Ministry of Works nor Umahi had issued a fresh statement responding to Obi’s latest comments.
Peter Obi remains one of Nigeria’s leading opposition figures following the 2023 presidential election. His public comments on governance, the economy and national development continue to attract widespread public attention, while members of the ruling and opposition parties frequently respond to his positions on national issues.
The development means political exchanges between key figures may continue as discussions around the 2027 general election gather momentum. However, no political party has formally nominated presidential candidates for the next election, and any future debate would depend on the emergence of officially recognised candidates under Nigeria’s electoral process.
