I didn’t criticise Obi, he started it — Umahi

The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has said he did not initiate the public exchange with Mr. Peter Obi, insisting that the former Anambra State governor started the criticism.

Umahi stated this on Friday while appearing on ARISE NEWS Morning Show.

According to him, the disagreement began when Obi came to a construction site where he was working and publicly castigated him.

He said he considered Obi’s action unfair and unprovoked.

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“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. I consider that very unfair,” Umahi said.

The Minister said his subsequent response was only a caution against constantly condemning others.

“I only said that when you continually condemn others, you bring judgment upon yourself,” he stated.

Umahi also accused Obi of failing to caution his supporters over comments he described as excessive and offensive.

He cited a statement credited to one of Obi’s followers who reportedly said that even if Jesus contested in an election, Peter Obi would win.

“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,” Umahi said.

He maintained that political supporters should be called to order when their remarks cross the line into religious disrespect.

Umahi said his intervention was not an attack on Obi’s person but a call for decorum and mutual respect in political discourse.