Umahi Fires Back at Makinde Over Lagos-Calabar Highway: "You are Not in My ClassÔÇØ | WATCH VIDEO

... Minister of Works says Makinde's comment shows ignorance of road engineering, insists on transparency in Lagos-Calabar project cost

Nigeria's Minister of Works and former Governor of Ebonyi State, Engr. David Umahi, has fired back at Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde, over his criticism of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project cost - a flagship infrastructure initiative of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's administration.

Speaking during an inspection tour of the Keffi Bridge and the Nasarawa-Toto Road projects on Saturday, Umahi expressed disappointment over what he described as "an unnecessary political soundbiteÔÇØ from Makinde, insisting that the figures quoted for the project were based on verified engineering standards and not political guesswork.

The controversy began after Governor Makinde publicly questioned Umahi's handling of the cost per kilometre of the coastal highway, accusing the Minister of "dancing around figures.ÔÇØ Makinde, while addressing reporters on Friday, said:

"These are elementary questions. And it makes no sense. A process is ongoing, payment has been made, and you are saying, 'How has this money been utilised?' The money is meant for the project, and it will be paid according to the work done.ÔÇØ

But Umahi, in a fiery response, described Makinde as a "brother and friendÔÇØ who has unfortunately ventured into a technical area he does not fully understand.

"I heard that my brother and friend, Governor Makinde, said something about the cost per kilometre. I don't want to join issues with him,ÔÇØ Umahi said. "I think he is an engineer, while I am an electrical engineer - they call us 'elect-elect'. But this road construction matter, 'elect-elect no reach there'.ÔÇØ

The Minister didn't stop there. In what many observers interpreted as a subtle academic jibe, Umahi reminded Makinde that he remains his "seniorÔÇØ both in governance and in engineering practice.

"Anything he doesn't understand, he should call me and ask. I have great respect for him as my friend and brother, but he should withdraw the statement that I'm dancing around. I never danced around. If he insists, he should come for a debate - that's very important.ÔÇØ

Explaining further, Umahi said there was no ambiguity in determining the cost per kilometre of the Lagos-Calabar project, noting that the figure can be interpreted in two ways - estimated and average cost.

"Cost per kilometre can be divided into estimated cost, which has elements of variance, and average cost, which is definitive,ÔÇØ he clarified. "The estimated cost comprises allowances for contingencies and variation of price, which may not eventually be utilised.ÔÇØ

In a sharp but humorous jab, Umahi mocked those "who run to AI for technical answers,ÔÇØ saying even artificial intelligence confirmed his explanation.

"When somebody who is dangling without knowledge goes to ask AI what the difference is between cost per kilometre and average cost, I'm happy that AI told him exactly what I said,ÔÇØ the Minister quipped.

Umahi went on to describe himself as a "professor by practice,ÔÇØ emphasizing that field experience counts more than theoretical qualifications.

"The National Universities Commission has said that you can become a professor by practice. God has made me one when it comes to practical, field engineering. You can't take that back.ÔÇØ

With the Lagos-Calabar Highway project still a major talking point in national discourse, Umahi's response has stirred new debates about cost transparency, inter-state rivalry, and political ego between the two governors.