Media adviser to former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi, Val Obienyem, has challenged Minister of Works Dave Umahi to stop focusing his political criticisms on Obi and instead respond to controversies and issues linked to his time in public office.
Obienyem made the remarks in a statement titled “Dave Umahi and Incestuous Reasoning”, following comments attributed to Umahi concerning Peter Obi and the political choices of Ebonyi people.
According to reports, Umahi had urged Ebonyi residents to be cautious about supporting politicians from outside the state and challenged Obi to identify an Ebonyi indigene he employed during his tenure as Anambra governor.
Reacting, Obienyem accused the former Ebonyi governor of using ethnic and geographical considerations in political discourse.
He argued that the support base popularly known as the “Obidients” was driven by opposition to what he described as Nigeria’s systemic problems and a desire for national development, rather than simply by support for Peter Obi.
Obienyem also called on Umahi to address what he described as controversies surrounding his political career. Among the issues he mentioned was the recent death of a young woman in a house associated with Umahi.
However, Obienyem did not provide details about the circumstances of the woman’s death and did not allege that Umahi was responsible for it. The claim therefore remains an allegation raised by Obienyem rather than an established finding.
The former governor’s media adviser also revisited the Ebonyi airport project, which was initiated during Umahi’s tenure as governor.
Obienyem questioned the economic rationale and usefulness of the airport, describing it as one of the projects whose value and justification had generated public debate.
He further criticised what he regarded as Umahi’s approach to governance, arguing that political leaders should focus on issues capable of promoting unity rather than ethnic or geographical divisions.
Obienyem also responded to Umahi’s criticism of Peter Obi over the renaming of Abakaliki Street in Anambra State.
He recalled that he had personally criticised the decision by the administration of former Anambra Governor Willie Obiano to rename the street, arguing that Obi could not be expected to intervene in every decision taken by a subsequent administration.
According to Obienyem, Obi’s administration in Anambra did not base government appointments and policies primarily on the geographical origin of individuals.
He cited the presence of Ebonyi indigenes among senior officials in Obi’s administration and referred to Obi’s reported interventions in Ebonyi State during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Obienyem also mentioned Obi’s visits and financial support for educational institutions in Ebonyi as examples of what he described as the former governor’s relationship with the state.
The statement also revisited the 2019 presidential election, when Peter Obi became the running mate to Atiku Abubakar.
Obienyem alleged that Umahi initially opposed Obi’s emergence as Atiku’s running mate but later expressed support for the ticket.
He recalled accompanying Obi to a meeting with Umahi in Abakaliki during the period and said the experience influenced his subsequent view of Umahi’s political relationship with Obi.
Obienyem further criticised what he described as the use of ethnicity and state of origin in political mobilisation.
He argued that Nigerians should not be encouraged to determine political support, employment opportunities or relationships primarily according to where an individual comes from.
He said political leaders should instead promote inclusion and national unity, arguing that Nigeria’s diversity should not become a tool for political division.
Obienyem concluded by calling for a political culture focused on national interests, inclusive governance and issues capable of bringing Nigerians together.
His comments form part of an ongoing political disagreement involving Peter Obi, Dave Umahi and wider debates over ethnicity, political representation and governance in the South-East.
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