Umahi Warns South-East: Support Tinubu or Lose Federal Projects Ahead of 2027

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 spoke on Wednesday while on an inspection tour of ongoing federal road and bridge projects in Ebonyi State.

The minister said 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 projects inspected was the ongoing Calabar–Ebonyi–Benue–Nasarawa–Abuja Superhighway, which Umahi said was one of the legacy projects of the administration.

He said the section from Ndibe Beach in Ebonyi State to the Ebonyi–Benue boundary spans about 123 kilometres and is being built with reinforced concrete pavement and solar-powered streetlights at an estimated cost of N454 billion.

He said 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 despite the funding challenges facing contractors, the Federal Government remained committed to meeting its obligations.

“We have been assured by the President that all contractors who are 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 reciprocate by supporting Tinubu in the next election,” Umahi said.

Last time, Afikpo people did not vote for APC. If they want this bridge finished, I will need 100 per cent of the votes. “I am not asking for 99 per cent,” he said.

He said projects of such size could only be carried out through federal intervention.

These roads and bridges can only be built by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. “Past politicians used this bridge as campaign promises, but this President came and started the work without making noise about it,” he added.

Umahi said that 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 Ministry of Works and it is being headed by an Igbo man. He said the President has integrated the South-East into the mainstream of Nigerian politics.

The minister urged political leaders in the region to publicly support the President and educate residents on the administration’s achievements.

“I ask all the leaders who support the President to speak out openly. “Our people must know the truth about what this administration is doing in the South-East,” he said.

Umahi said that 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 not won by sentiments, it is won by strategic planning. “We must support the President to finish these projects and to get more opportunities for the South-East,” he said.

The former governor of Ebonyi State said the Tinubu administration had shown commitment to infrastructure, security, education, healthcare and youth empowerment.

“We will shock the nation in Ebonyi State because we will give 95 per cent of our votes to President Tinubu. The last election outcome was an accident of history and it will not repeat itself,” Umahi said.