The Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, has dismissed concerns raised by Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate Peter Obi over alleged threats to his life, saying there is no reason for anyone to wish him harm.

Speaking on Friday while inspecting ongoing federal road projects in Ebonyi State, Umahi said Obi would remain alive to participate in the 2027 presidential election but would be defeated at the polls.

According to the minister, Obi's fears are misplaced, stressing that political rivalry should not be mistaken for personal hostility.

"Nobody wants Obi dead; it is not reasonable. We all want him alive to contest the election and watch himself lose again," Umahi said.

Obi had earlier alleged that he had received threats over his criticism of the Federal Government, expressing concerns about the country's political climate.

Responding to the claim, Umahi said Obi's fears stemmed from his belief that the South-East remained his political base after the 2023 presidential election.

"What he is afraid of is because he said the South-East is his catchment area because of the last election, which I call an accident of history," he said.

The former Ebonyi State governor argued that President Bola Tinubu's infrastructure projects and appointments in the South-East had reshaped the region's political landscape.

"We have come with visible development in the zone, and our people have now agreed with us that we are better off with President Tinubu to complete the good works he is doing for us than playing Artificial Intelligence (AI) kind of politics," Umahi added.

He also challenged Obi to a public debate on the performance of the Tinubu administration, insisting that the Federal Government's policies and infrastructure projects have delivered tangible benefits to the South-East.

[NAN]