We have taken note of the recent statement attributed to the Honourable Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, in which he described himself as “senior” in both governance and engineering, and further claimed to be “an ‘A’ student in mathematics.”
While the Minister is entitled to assert his credentials, it is imperative to clarify certain points, uphold the sanctity of public discourse, and defend the dignity of those governed.
Do we need to remind Mr Minister that titles and seniority do not confer infallibility? Public service is not an arena for self-praise. The notion that one becomes automatically correct by virtue of claiming seniority is a weak substitute for concrete evidence. In governance, authority is validated by performance, transparency, and measurable outcomes, not by boasting about who holds a longer résumé.
As history has repeatedly shown, leadership is not about who arrived first, but about who delivers lasting value to the people.
Governor Seyi Makinde’s concern was never personal. His intervention sought clarity, not conflict. This discourse is not a competition over who is “senior” or “junior,” but a call for accountability in the use of public funds. Nigerians deserve verifiable answers, not rhetorical flourishes. Every taxpayer deserves to know how their money is being spent, and transparency in infrastructure costing should be the foundation of trust between government and the governed.
His initial query was straightforward; if the Ministry of Works approves a multi-trillion-naira highway project, can it state the average cost per kilometre (with acknowledged variations) to promote accountability and comparability?
This is neither a trap nor an insult, it is a call for openness. The claim that “every kilometre is different” should not become a convenient shield for obscurity. Nigerians can handle technical explanations; what they cannot accept is the deliberate blurring of facts. Let the data be made public, let the figures speak, and let transparency prevail.
The Minister has proposed a debate and that offer is not out of place. But such a conversation must be structured, evidence-driven, and guided by national interest. Let it be a platform to showcase verified contract terms, material breakdowns, design standards, and third-party audit reports not a contest of personal superiority.
If indeed the Minister is confident in his figures and methods, he should have no fear subjecting them to public scrutiny when asked a straight forward question.
Let it be on record that, Governor Seyi Makinde has consistently demonstrated respect for his colleagues in public office. However, respect in leadership is mutual, it cannot be demanded while dismissing legitimate questions. Public office is a call to service, not an entitlement to arrogance. True leadership listens, explains, and remains accountable to the people.
In the final analysis, this matter is not about egos or engineering grades, it is about Nigerians who ply our roads daily and trust their leaders to make prudent, transparent, and effective decisions. The people deserve roads built to standard, funds judiciously spent, and governance rooted in integrity.
Governor Seyi Makinde remains open to any technical clarifications, peer reviews, or transparent discourse that promote public trust. Governance, after all, is not an academic exercise, it is a sacred responsibility to serve with truth and accountability.
If the Honourable Minister wishes to engage further, let it be done with discipline, facts, and decorum, not as a theatre for self-adulation. The people deserve a government that builds, not bickers; that explains, not evades; that leads, not lectures.
