Lagos-Calabar Highway: Umahi Slams Obi Over Comments, Demands Apology

ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has berated the former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, over his comment on the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway project. 

Umahi, former governor of the state urged Obi to publicly apologise.

Obi had earlier on Tuesday, April 30, via his X handle stated that President Tinubu is creating more unemployment and destroying investments that paid taxes, as the Landmark Beach Resort that was worth $200 million was adversely affected.

Umahi while speaking during an event organized by the Federal Ministry of Works to compensate property owners affected by the controversial Lagos-Calabar coastal road project, on Wednesday, May 1, defended the government’s action. 

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 saw what Arise brought courtesy of Channels, and they were bringing similar scenarios when His Excellency Peter Obi was the governor. 

READ ALSO: Peter Obi Urges Tinubu To Stop Lagos-Calabar Highway Project, Says It Would Lead To Job Loss 

“He made a statement saying ‘Any infrastructure that stands in the way of the road construction 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 do not even 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 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. Wisdom gives life to those that practice it, and I want our people to have wisdom because I am involved.

“This coastal road is not prioritised over the ongoing projects. And he should take a tour of the projects and see that even some that were dead are alive. 

READ ALSO: Tinubu Directs Umahi On Urgent Design For Sokoto-Badagry Coastal Highway

“And we’re doing a better concrete pavement, and not the type of the wheat of matchbox that was done in Anambra State when he was governor, and it’s been washed off, No. We are doing the proper thing.

“Opposition is not all about seeing fault. When somebody has done something good, you can still criticise while commending the person.

“And so i ask him to commend Mr. President for this coastal road. And i enjoin those who have taken on him to ask him to apologise publicly because this coastal road is the good for all of us.”