Obi is instigating Igbos against Tinubu — Umahi

Senator Dave Umahi, the Minister of Works has accused the former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr Peter Obi of inciting people of the southeast against the administration of president Bola Tinubu.

Umahi who made the allegations on Wednesday while speaking during the flag off of compensation for owners of property affected by the highway project, claimed that Obi did not have the interest of the country at heart and would not fight for the people after getting them into trouble.

The former Ebonyi State Governor made the statement in reaction to the criticism by Obi that the project embarked on by Bola Tinubu’s administration is a job-losing one.

Recall that Obi had noted on Tuesday via his official X handle that Tinubu is creating more unemployment and destroying investments that paid taxes, as the Landmark Beach Resort that was worth $200 million was badly affected.

Obi said it was not too late to discontinue the Lagos-Calabar highway project, adding that urgent necessities are nationwide security, poverty eradication, healthcare, and education, especially for the poor and underprivileged.

The former Anambra State governor said, “The outcry against this project has been overwhelming due to the current situation in the country. However, reports as of yesterday indicate that demolition of businesses and residences in the designated right of way for the project has commenced from the Lagos end.

“The sight of this insensitive demolition is heart-wrenching. Livelihoods are being wiped away, lifetime investments are being wasted, and jobs are disappearing as bulldozers roar through. The homes of the elderly are being overturned by the power of bulldozers.

“This hasty flag-off defies the widespread outcry by the public, especially business and property owners directly affected by the project. Nobody knows the outcry that will accompany this project as it progresses towards poor rural landscapes.

“Thousands of jobs are about to be lost, with investments above $200 million at risk. Over 100,000 jobs in the leisure and hospitality sector face imminent extinction, along with 80 small businesses and their 4000 mostly youth employees.”

However, Umahi insisted there was no inhumanity meted to Landmark and that the matter should be buried because he was actively involved.

He alleged that Obi goes around to condemn people, thereby bringing judgment upon himself.

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 know what Arise Television brought courtesy of Channels Television, they were bringing similar scenarios when His Excellency Peter Obi was the governor. He made a statement saying ”Any infrastructure that stands in the way of the road 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 don’t 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 (Obi) 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. And I want our people to have wisdom because I am involved.

“There’s is no inhumanity meted to Landmark, that matters should be buried because I was there. And so we fought everything possible. Even some people donated property to save his two big infrastructures. That’s appreciation. But some people have taken sides along with him to play politics.”