Arise News anchor, Rufai Oseni, has challenged the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, to contest a presidential election and secure at least six million votes before comparing himself to the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi.
Oseni made the remarks while reacting to Umahi’s description of himself as the “Lion of the Southeast,” saying the minister was free to adopt any title but needed to demonstrate his political strength through electoral performance.
Quoting Nobel laureate Professor Wole Soyinka, Oseni recalled his famous remark that a tiger does not need to announce its tiger identity because it simply pounces.
He argued that someone who constantly announces himself as a lion may not necessarily possess the qualities associated with the title.
The broadcaster specifically challenged Umahi to purchase a presidential nomination form, contest an election under a political party and secure more than six million votes, as Obi did in the 2023 presidential election, before making comparisons with the former Anambra State governor.
According to Oseni, Umahi should first demonstrate that level of political support before placing himself in the same category as Obi.
He, however, acknowledged some of the minister’s efforts in road construction, noting that while some of his projects deserved commendation, he had also raised concerns about certain aspects of his performance.
Oseni advised Umahi to concentrate on his responsibilities as Minister of Works rather than engaging in comparisons with Obi.
He maintained that Umahi should first achieve what Obi had accomplished politically before seeking to compare himself with the former presidential candidate.
