A strong voice has emerged in support of Minister of Works, Engineer Dave Umahi, accusing the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, LP, in the previous general election, Mr. Peter Obi, of sparking tension among the Igbos against the government. This voice belongs to Bayo Onanuga, the spokesperson for President Bola Tinubu.
Onanuga pointed out that Umahi’s accusation exposes the double standards of Peter Obi regarding the Lagos-Calabar superhighway.
Expressing his views on Thursday via his X handle, Onanuga wrote, “Works Minister Engineer Dave Umahi brings to light Peter Obi’s hypocrisy on the Lagos-Calabar superhighway.”
Recent reports revealed Umahi’s claim that Obi was inciting the people of the southeast, especially those lacking adequate information, against the government.
Additionally, Umahi alleged that Obi would not step in to defend the Igbos after leading them into trouble.
This statement by the Minister was made on Wednesday while addressing the compensation of property owners affected by the Lagos-Calabar coastal road project.
It is noteworthy that the 700-kilometer coastal highway has sparked controversies, especially with the demolition of the Landmark Beach Resort worth $200 million to establish a right of way for the project, which is projected to cost the federal government N15 trillion.
Obi criticized Tinubu’s administration for pushing through with the contentious Lagos-Calabar coastal highway project despite public resistance.
The presidential candidate argued that the government was pursuing a project that could result in job losses during a time of high unemployment, suggesting that it was not too late to terminate the Lagos-Calabar highway plan.
In his opinion, the pressing needs in the nation revolve around national security, poverty alleviation, healthcare, and education, particularly for the impoverished and disadvantaged.
In response, Umahi challenged Obi’s stance on the project, accusing the former Anambra State governor of unjustly condemning people and inviting judgement upon himself.