South-East will reject Peter Obi, vote Tinubu in 2027 — Umahi

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Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, has declared that the South-East region will overwhelmingly support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027, insisting that the people of the region would reject Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi.

Umahi made the assertion on Saturday while inspecting ongoing federal road projects in Ebonyi State, describing the South-East’s voting pattern in the 2023 presidential election as a mistake.

According to the minister, President Tinubu has demonstrated unprecedented commitment to infrastructure development in the South-East through the implementation of several major projects that had remained unrealised for decades.

He particularly highlighted the Calabar–Ebonyi–Benue Trans-Saharan Superhighway, describing it as a transformative project of immense economic value to the South-East, South-South and parts of the North-Central region.

> “It is a colonial-era dream long forgotten, but President Tinubu has revived it, and construction is now underway. We must thank him immensely,” Umahi said.

The minister explained that Section One of the project, originally designed as a 118-kilometre stretch, had been expanded to 123.6 kilometres with a contract value of ₦45 billion, while dualisation works were progressing steadily.

He further disclosed that Section Two of the superhighway, stretching through Benue, Kogi and Nasarawa states, had been awarded at a cost of ₦668 billion and had already recorded about 28 per cent completion in some sections.

Umahi noted that the adoption of concrete pavement technology by the Tinubu administration had enabled construction activities to continue despite the rainy season.

According to him, the highway would serve as a major investment corridor capable of boosting trade in agricultural products such as cassava, yams, cashew and palm oil, while also enhancing connectivity between Nigeria and neighbouring Cameroon.

> “The Trans-Sahara Superhighway is not just a road; it is an investment corridor that will catalyse trade and economic growth,” he stated.

The minister also maintained that President Tinubu had addressed longstanding concerns about the exclusion of the South-East from major national projects.

> “All our forefathers sought—inclusiveness—we have it now,” he added.

During the inspection tour, Umahi and members of the Presidential Media Team visited key project sites, including bridges along Section One of the superhighway, the Onueke Flyover and the 1.3-kilometre Ndi-Egbe Bridge linking Ebonyi and Cross River states.

The minister disclosed that the Ndi-Egbe Bridge is expected to be completed by December 2026, while the ₦35 billion Onueke Flyover project is designed to ease traffic congestion within Ebonyi Central Senatorial District.

Meanwhile, Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State praised President Tinubu’s infrastructure drive and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to development.

The governor also claimed that Ebonyi remains one of the safest states in the country, stating that no kidnapping incident had been recorded since he assumed office.

> “We have kept contractors busy across the state with projects in every local government area, including roads, healthcare facilities and water schemes,” Nwifuru said.

Umahi further revealed that South-East governors and political leaders are expected to converge in Abakaliki on Monday for a major rally aimed at endorsing President Tinubu for a second term in office.

He urged residents of the region to support the President and disregard criticisms from opposition politicians, insisting that Tinubu’s performance in office speaks for itself.