The minister of works, Dave Umahi, has alleged that former presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, is inciting people of the southeast, especially those who are not well informed, against the government.

Obi had on Tuesday expressed his displeasure on the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway project stating that the government is embarking on a job-losing project at a time of rampant unemployment.

Umahi, reacting to the statement on Wednesday, May 1, at an event organized by the Federal Ministry of Work to compensate property owners affected by the Lagos- Calabar coastal road prospect, claimed that Obi would not fight for the people even after getting them into trouble.

There have also been mixed reactions following the demolition of Landmark Beach Resort, valued at $200 million, to create a right of way for the project which is estimated to cost the federal government N15 trillion.

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

The former Ebonyi state governor 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 southeast 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.

“Theirs 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.” (The Nation)

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