Peter Obi, former governor of Anambra, has denied deceiving Igbos against the Federal Government over the Lagos-Calabar coastal road project.
The federal government recently began building on the Lagos-Calabar coastal route, which would run along the shoreline of Lagos beach resorts while passing through eight other states.
The project has sparked debate and worries regarding finances and the businesses that would be impacted during construction.
On Tuesday, Obi, the Labour Party’s (LP) presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, attacked the federal government for the initiative, calling it a misplaced priority. He described the “insensitive” removal of structures for the project as “heart-wrenching.
Umahi responded to the comment by saying Obi supported the demolition of structures for road infrastructure while he was governor of Anambra. The minister chastised Obi for attacking the federal government over the project, noting that impacted property owners have already received compensation.
When you criticise others, you bring judgement upon yourself, which is what he has done,” Umahi explained. “I believe he is agitating some of the south-east folks who are not well-informed.
He incites and gets them into difficulty, but he does not fight for them. “Wisdom is a defence. It provides illumination to people who practise it.
I want our people to be wise because I am involved.” Obi responded to the claims by writing on X (previously Twitter).
Regarding allegations of incitement against the administration, I categorically deny these baseless accusations aimed at ruining my reputation. “Rather than engaging in divisive politics, I prefer to promote constructive conversation and inclusivity. Claims of incitement are meaningless distractions. I’ve always called for unity and progress, refusing to engage in reactionary, divided politics.
I refuse to be degraded to the level of people involved in ethnic politics. Worse, I have never and will never be so low as to base my political ambitions on sectarian or racial considerations.
My commitment to service with integrity is unwavering, and I encourage all Nigerians to work together for a brighter future. Finally, I stand behind my record as governor and reject any attempts to twist the narrative for political purposes.
My unshakable commitment is to advocate for the rights and well-being of all Nigerians, ensuring that development programmes prioritise people’s needs. Most importantly, Peter Obi stated that he will continue to insist on the most prudent use of our national resources.
