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Umahi urges South-East to back Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027

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The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has called on the people of the South-East to throw their weight behind President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term in 2027, stressing that the region has benefited greatly from his administration.

Umahi made the appeal on Saturday in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, while receiving the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, who was on an inspection tour of Federal Government projects in Enugu and Ebonyi States.

The former governor of Ebonyi described Tinubu as “God sent” to Nigeria and the South-East, citing massive investments in road and bridge construction across the region.

“The good works that President Tinubu is doing for the South-East are not hidden, especially in roads and bridges. He is fair and just, ensuring that no region is left behind in the dividends of democracy,” Umahi said.

He added that all governors of the region are already in support of Tinubu and should sustain that support ahead of the 2027 elections. Umahi also urged the South-East to “re-engage” politically rather than rely on sentiments in pursuit of the presidency.

Read Also: Tinubu overhauls NTA Leadership, appoints Rotimi Pedro as new DG

“We have to support other regions, and at God’s appointed time, the presidency will come to us. Who knows, maybe it could even be me,” he said jokingly.

Highlighting Tinubu’s economic reforms, Umahi noted that inflation had dropped to 21.8 percent and foreign reserves had risen above $40 billion. He also referenced commendations from the World Bank and WTO chief, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, as proof that the President was steering the nation on the right path.

The minister further stated that, for the first time in decades, the South-East was witnessing a strong federal presence in terms of infrastructure projects.

“I was deputy governor, governor for eight years, and even chairman of a party, but I never saw this level of federal projects in the South-East. President Tinubu has changed the story,” Umahi said.

Tinubu has been fair to all regions – Umahi

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Minister of Works, David Umahi, has declared that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ensured equitable distribution of road infrastructure projects across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.

Reacting to a social media post by Linus Anagboso, popularly known as D-Big Pen, titled “The Politics of Asphalt: Why is the South East missing from the map?”, Umahi described the claims as misleading and politically motivated.

In a statement personally signed by him on Monday in Abuja, Umahi said the Tinubu administration has not neglected any part of the country, including the South East. He accused some political actors of attempting to mislead the public by distorting facts for selfish gain.

“I understand that politics is now in the air and the chosen path by some persons is to deceive unsuspecting members of the public, look good before the people as one fighting for them, and close both eyes pretentiously over the great and selfless infrastructure development Mr. President is doing all over the nation,” Umahi said.

He noted that President Tinubu’s administration is using infrastructure development as a tool to unify Nigerians and restore public trust. To further demonstrate transparency, Umahi disclosed that he had directed all regional directors of the Federal Ministry of Works to return to project sites across the country and compile reports of both inherited and newly awarded projects for public awareness.

Addressing claims that the South East is excluded from major projects, Umahi cited one of President Tinubu’s four legacy road projects, which covers Cross River, Ebonyi, Benue, Kogi, Nasarawa, and Abuja. According to him, the 465-kilometre dual carriageway includes 231.64 kilometres located within the South East. The project, valued at ₦445.8 billion, has already received ₦108 billion in funding, with work currently ongoing.

Read Also: Tinubu moves Surveyor-General’s office to Presidency

He also criticized Anagboso for allegedly misrepresenting details from the July 31 Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, where the project corridor was reviewed. Umahi said the writer falsely labelled the project as the “Oyo–Benue Border road” to mislead the public and incite discontent in the South East.

“I demand that he corrects the information immediately, even if he fails to apologize,” Umahi stated.

The minister listed several other ongoing projects in the South East, including work on the Second Niger Bridge access roads in Delta and Anambra states, the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway, Enugu-Port Harcourt Road, and several intra-regional roads linking Ebonyi, Abia, Imo, and Akwa Ibom.

He stressed that over 90 percent of abandoned road projects in the region, some dating as far back as 2013, have been revived by the current administration.

Umahi called on the people of the South East to show appreciation by supporting President Tinubu politically, urging them to reject divisive rhetoric and misinformation.

“We must not be deceived again. Mr. President must have the votes of South East up to 90 percent to cement this relationship,” he said. “Enough of darkening counsel without knowledge in the South East. If we want to be president, we must avoid the politics of hate, misinformation, and sentiments.”

He further praised the South East governors for supporting development efforts in their states and urged the public to rally behind them and President Tinubu for continuity and national unity.

“We are known for hard work and love—not hate,” Umahi said.