The Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, has called on Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, to withdraw his recent comment accusing him of “dancing around figures” during a television appearance—or face him in a public debate on engineering practice and road construction.
Umahi made the demand on Saturday while inspecting the reconstruction of the Keffi Bridge and the Keffi–Oweto–Otukpo Road.
Governor Makinde had earlier criticized the Minister’s performance during an interview on Arise News, where Umahi had a heated exchange with the programme’s co-host, Rufai Oseni, over the cost of the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway project.
Makinde, commenting on the incident days later, accused the Works Minister of evading questions about the project’s cost breakdown.
Reacting, Umahi described the governor’s statement as unfair and unprofessional, insisting that Makinde lacked the technical expertise to challenge him on road construction matters.
“When I heard what my brother and friend, Governor Makinde, said, I decided not to join issues with him. I think he is an engineer, an electrician—what we call ‘elect-elect.’ This is road construction; elect-elect no reach there,” Umahi said.
“I am his senior in governance and in engineering practice. If there’s anything he doesn’t understand, he should call me and ask. But he should withdraw that statement that I was dancing around figures. I never danced around any figure. And if he insists, he should come for a debate. That is very important,” he added.
Umahi further clarified that there was no confusion about the cost of the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway, explaining that the variation in figures arose from the difference between estimated and average costs.
“There is no ambiguity in cost per kilometre,” he said. “Cost per kilometre could be divided into estimated cost, which has elements of variance, and average cost, which is definitive. That’s what I tried to explain.”
The Minister also reaffirmed his status as a Professor of Engineering in Practice, stating that the Nigerian Universities Commission (NUC) had recognized his professional qualifications.
He added, “When someone who lacks knowledge asks AI about the difference between cost per kilometre and average cost, I’m glad AI confirmed exactly what I said. The NUC has also affirmed that one can become a professor by practice. I believe God has made me one in practical, field engineering.”
