Umahi’s Record: Nwaze Challenges Obi Supporters Over S-east Projects

By Aliuna Godwin 

The Senior Special Assistant to the Minister of Works on Media, Francis Nwaze, has challenged supporters of former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi, to provide evidence of what he described as Obi’s contributions to Ebonyi State and the wider Southeast.

Nwaze made the call in a response to an article by Valentine Obienyem titled “Dave Umahi and Incestuous Reasoning,” in which Obienyem criticized Minister of Works, David Umahi, while presenting Obi as a model of inclusive leadership.

According to Nwaze, the debate over the two politicians should be based on verifiable records of public service, rather than political rhetoric, personal attacks or anecdotes.

He specifically questioned whether Ebonyians occupied substantive political or administrative positions in Anambra State during Obi’s tenure as governor, arguing that the issue of inclusion should be assessed through identifiable appointments and responsibilities.

Nwaze contrasted this with Umahi’s administration in Ebonyi State, citing several people of Anambra origin who, according to him, served in different capacities during Umahi’s tenure as governor.

He listed Charles Emeka Akpuenika, who served as Commissioner for Youths and Sports; Rose Ezeadikwa, who served with the State Universal Basic Education Board; Chinaco Nzeakor, Special Assistant to the Governor on Internal Security; Rev. Euphraim Ononye, former Chairman of the Ebonyi State Pilgrims Board; and Uchem Oka, who served as a Technical Assistant to the governor.

The minister’s aide said the examples were relevant to the debate on political inclusion, adding that the records of both politicians should be examined on the basis of documented appointments, policies and measurable outcomes.

Nwaze also defended Umahi’s record as governor of Ebonyi State, rejecting criticism of the former governor’s infrastructure projects as “vanity” projects.

He cited the construction of flyovers and roads, establishment of the David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences, development of the state airport and international shopping mall, as well as the adoption of concrete pavement for some roads during Umahi’s administration.

He argued that while the cost, priorities and effectiveness of individual projects could be debated, the projects themselves remained available for independent assessment.

Nwaze further shifted attention to Umahi’s current role as Minister of Works, citing ongoing federal infrastructure projects across the Southeast under the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration.

He mentioned the Enugu-Port Harcourt Road, Enugu-Onitsha corridor, Enugu-Abakaliki-Ogoja Highway, Second Niger Bridge-related infrastructure and other federal road projects in the region.

The Federal Ministry of Works has also identified the Trans-Sahara Super Highway, which runs through parts of Ebonyi, Benue, Enugu, Kogi and the Federal Capital Territory, among major infrastructure projects being pursued by the administration. 

Nwaze said Umahi’s current position should also be considered alongside his previous political offices as Deputy Governor and Governor of Ebonyi State, Chairman of the Southeast Governors’ Forum and Senator representing Ebonyi South.

He maintained that the minister’s record should be assessed through the projects and responsibilities attached to each of these positions rather than through personal exchanges between political camps.

The aide also appealed for restraint in political debates, particularly regarding references to private tragedies and family-related matters, arguing that such issues should not distract from substantive discussions on governance and public policy.

He said political disagreements should focus on verifiable records, infrastructure delivery, policy choices and measurable outcomes rather than personal descriptions or name-calling.

Nwaze further challenged Obi’s supporters to present comparable evidence of projects and policies that, in his view, demonstrate a similar level of impact across Ebonyi and the wider Southeast.

He said the people of the region should ultimately be allowed to assess the records and programmes of the various political actors and make their own decisions ahead of future elections.

The response comes amid an increasingly active political debate in the Southeast over the records of Peter Obi, David Umahi and the performance of the Tinubu administration in the region, particularly in the areas of infrastructure and regional development.