2027: Support Tinubu or lose projects — Umahi warns South-East

Minister of Works, David Umahi, has urged the South-East to massively support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 general elections, warning that failure to do so could threaten the continuation of major federal infrastructure projects across the region.

Umahi made the appeal on Wednesday during an inspection of ongoing federal road and bridge projects in Ebonyi State, where he described the current level of infrastructure development in the South-East as unprecedented.

Among the projects inspected was the Calabar–Ebonyi–Benue–Nasarawa–Abuja Superhighway, which the minister identified as one of the signature projects of the Tinubu administration.

According to him, the section stretching from Ndibe Beach in Ebonyi State to the Ebonyi–Benue boundary spans about 123 kilometres and is being constructed with reinforced concrete pavement and solar-powered streetlights at a cost of about N454 billion.

Umahi disclosed that the Federal Government had already released 50 per cent funding for the project, while approvals were also underway for the dualisation of strategic sections of the highway.

He added that another section of the corridor covering about 178 kilometres from the Ebonyi–Benue boundary through Benue, Kogi and Nasarawa states to Oweto Bridge carries a contract value of N685 billion.

While admitting that contractors were facing funding pressures, Umahi insisted that the Federal Government remained committed to settling all obligations.

“The President has assured us that all contractors owed will be paid. Today, there is hardly any state in Nigeria without a construction site under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” he said.

The minister argued that communities benefitting from federal projects should reciprocate by supporting the President politically.

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

According to Umahi, only the current administration has shown the political will to execute projects of such scale in the South-East.

“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.

The former Ebonyi State governor also claimed that the South-East had regained relevance under the Tinubu administration, citing his appointment as Minister of Works and the spread of federal projects across the region.

“We shouted 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 integrated the South-East into the mainstream of Nigerian politics,” he said.

Umahi urged political leaders in the region to openly campaign for Tinubu and educate residents on the administration’s achievements.

“I challenge all leaders supporting the President to speak out openly. Our people need to hear the truth about what this administration is doing in the South-East,” he stated.

He further projected that major portions of the projects would be completed before the end of the year and warned against voting based on sentiment in 2027.

“This election is not lottery. Presidency is not won by sentiments but by strategic planning. We must support the President to complete these projects and secure greater opportunities for the South-East,” Umahi said.

The minister maintained that the Tinubu administration had demonstrated commitment to infrastructure, security, healthcare, education and youth empowerment across the country.

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

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