Don’t vote for Peter Obi, vote Tinubu instead – Umahi tells South-East

The Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, has urged Nigerians, particularly those from the South-East, not to vote for the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, in the 2027 general election, insisting that his remarks should not be interpreted as a personal attack.

Umahi said he remains fully committed to supporting the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, citing what he described as unprecedented infrastructure development across the country, especially in the South-East.

The minister made the remarks while inspecting sections of the Cross River–Abuja Legacy Highway and the Trans-Sahara Highway projects.

Responding to criticisms over his support for Tinubu instead of Obi, who is also from the South-East, Umahi said he had no regrets about his political position.

> “They have been insulting me. But I enjoy it honestly because it shows that what I’m doing is touching them. But there are some of them that are also reasonable. They say the only thing is that you’re attacking Peter Obi.

> “I say, no, I’m not attacking Peter Obi. I’m asking people in the South-East and Nigeria not to vote for him but to vote for President Bola Tinubu. And I have my facts,” he said.

Umahi argued that Tinubu’s administration has addressed long-standing complaints of infrastructure neglect in the South-East through the execution of major road projects.

According to him, continuity in government is necessary to ensure that ongoing projects are completed without delays.

> “All the projects awarded by Tinubu will be completed. In the second tenure of Mr. President, let us not take risks. Any other person coming will have to begin negotiating abandoned projects. But under President Tinubu, there will be no abandoned project. All these legacy projects will be completed,” he stated.

The minister cited the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway as one of the administration’s success stories, saying the road is expected to be fully completed by December with solar-powered streetlights and landscaping.

He also disclosed that the road would be tolled to generate funds for maintenance and security patrols.

Umahi commended contractors handling the projects and urged presidential aides to continue engaging community leaders on the benefits of the ongoing infrastructure initiatives.

Providing an update on the Cross River–Abuja Legacy Highway, the minister said Section One, covering about 125 kilometres, is nearing completion, with more than 30 per cent of the alignment passing through communities in Ebonyi State.

He added that Section Two, spanning about 168 kilometres across Ebonyi, Benue, Enugu and Kogi states, has been mobilised after the Federal Government released 30 per cent mobilisation funds to the contractor.

Umahi further directed contractors to prioritise the employment of local residents to ensure that host communities benefit directly from the execution of the projects.

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