Works Minister David Umahi says presidential candidate Peter Obi declined a proposed public debate because he cannot defend his record in office. In statements carried by Vanguard and Daily Post Nigeria, Umahi, through his media aide Francis Nwaze, argues that Obi refused the debate because he expected to be unable to explain or justify his performance when compared with Umahi’s own record. Both reports present Umahi’s account that the debate proposal was not taken up by Obi, and that the refusal was linked to the expected outcome of the comparison of their respective records. The articles do not provide direct responses from Obi or detailed terms of the proposed debate, such as date, format, or agenda. The reports also do not include evidence or documented comparisons cited by Umahi beyond the claim that Obi would struggle to defend his record. The statements reflect a political dispute over participation in a public debate ahead of Nigeria’s elections.