Minister of Works, David Umahi, has called on the South-East to massively support President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general elections, warning that neglecting to do that could endanger the continuation of major federal infrastructure projects across the region.
Umahi made the comments on Wednesday during an inspection visit to ongoing federal road and bridge projects in Ebonyi State.
The minister said that the projects were unprecedented in the history of the South-East, adding that no previous government had invested so much in the region’s infrastructure.
One of the inspected projects was the ongoing Calabar–Ebonyi–Benue–Nasarawa–Abuja Superhighway, which Umahi said was one of the administration’s legacy projects.
According to him, the stretch from Ndibe Beach in Ebonyi State to the Ebonyi–Benue boundary covers a distance of about 123 kilometres and is being constructed with reinforced concrete pavement and solar-powered streetlights at an estimated cost of N454 billion.
He said that the Federal Government had already released 50 per cent funding for the project, while approvals were being processed for the dualisation of critical sections of the route.
The minister further explained that the contract value of section two of the corridor which runs from Ebonyi – Benue boundary through Benue, Kogi and Nasarawa States to Oweto Bridge is about 178 kilometres with a contract value of N685 billion.
Umahi said that despite the funding challenges facing contractors, the Federal Government was still committed to meeting its obligations.
“We have been assured by the President that all contractors owed money will be paid. “There is no state in Nigeria today without a construction site under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu”, he said.
“Communities that benefit from federal projects should support Tinubu in the next election,” Umahi said.
Afikpo people did not vote APC last time. If they want this bridge done, I’m going to need 100 per cent of the votes. I am not asking for 99 per cent, he said.
“Only through federal intervention can projects of this size be realized,” he said.
Only President Bola Ahmed Tinubu can build these roads and bridges. “Past politicians used this bridge as campaign promises but this President came and started the work without making noise about it,” he added.
According to Umahi, the South-East has regained relevance in national politics under the current administration, adding that his appointment as Minister of Works and the scale of projects spread across the region were testament to this.
“We were shouting marginalisation before but today, no ministry is bigger than the Ministry of Works and it is being headed by an Igbo man. The President has brought the South-East into the mainstream of Nigerian politics, he said.
The minister called on political leaders in the region to publicly endorse the President and educate residents on the administration’s accomplishments.
I call on all the leaders who support the President to speak out openly. “Our people must know the truth of what this administration is doing in the South-East,” he said.
Umahi said large parts of the project will be completed before the end of the year and urged South-East voters to avoid sentiment during the 2027 elections.
This is not a lottery election. Presidency is won not by sentiments but by strategic planning. “We have to back the President to complete these projects and also to get more opportunities for the South-East,” he said.
The ex-Ebonyi State governor said the Tinubu administration had demonstrated commitment to infrastructure, security, education, healthcare and youth empowerment.
“We will shock the nation in Ebonyi State because we are going to give 95 per cent of our votes to President Tinubu. “The last election result was an accident of history and it will not repeat itself,” Umahi said.
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