Minister of Works, David Umahi, says the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, presidential candidate, Peter Obi, started the confrontation between them over the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project.
Speaking during an exclusive interview on Arise Television on Friday, Umahi said he did not criticise Obi, but the former Anambra State governor came to the construction site where he was working and publicly castigated him.
According to him, Obi initiated the attacks against him and his handling of federal road projects.
"We all determine our own destinies. I did not criticise Peter Obi; he started the confrontation by coming to the construction site where I was working and publicly castigating me," Umahi said.
The minister equally accused Peter Obi of failing to caution his supporters over inflammatory statements, adding that one of his followers reportedly said that even if Jesus contested an election, Peter Obi would still win.
The former Ebonyi State governor described the statement as an affront to the Christian faith and said he expected Obi to condemn it.
"One of them reportedly said that even if Jesus contested in an election, Peter Obi would win. That is an affront to our faith, and I expected Peter Obi to speak out against such a statement," he said.
Recall that Umahi and Obi have clashed several times over the Coastal Highway project, with Obi describing it as a misplaced priority and Umahi accusing Obi of inciting South East people against the Federal Government.
Coastal Highway: Peter Obi started the fight, not me - Umahi