Minister of Works, David Umahi, has stirred massive political reactions after warning South-East voters that the region could lose major federal infrastructure projects if it fails to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election..WATCH VIDEO HERE
Umahi made the controversial remarks during an inspection of ongoing federal road and bridge projects in Ebonyi State on Wednesday, where he openly linked continued development in the South-East to political support for the ruling APC.Politics
The former Ebonyi governor insisted that no previous administration had invested in the region the way Tinubu’s government is currently doing, pointing to several ongoing road projects across the South-East as proof.
Among the projects highlighted by the minister was the massive Calabar–Ebonyi–Benue–Nasarawa–Abuja Superhighway, which he described as one of the signature achievements of the Tinubu administration.
According to Umahi, the stretch running from Ndibe Beach in Ebonyi State to the Ebonyi–Benue boundary covers about 123 kilometres and is being constructed with reinforced concrete pavement alongside solar-powered streetlights.
He disclosed that the project is valued at over N450 billion and that the Federal Government has already released 50 percent of the funding.
The minister also revealed that another section of the road corridor stretching through Benue, Kogi and Nasarawa states towards the Oweto Bridge axis covers about 178 kilometres with a contract value of about N685 billion.
Despite acknowledging funding challenges affecting some contractors, Umahi insisted President Tinubu remains committed to completing the projects.
“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 stated.
However, the minister’s strongest comment came when he directly tied future federal projects to electoral support for the APC in the South-East.
“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,” Umahi declared.
The statement has since triggered fresh political debates online, with many Nigerians reacting to the minister’s blunt message ahead of the 2027 election.
Umahi further argued that only Tinubu has shown genuine commitment to completing abandoned infrastructure projects 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 minister also dismissed claims that the South-East is being marginalised under the current administration.
According to him, the appointment of an Igbo man to head the powerful Ministry of Works and the spread of federal projects across the region prove that the South-East has regained relevance in national politics.
“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,” Umahi said.
He went further to challenge political leaders in the region to publicly defend Tinubu’s administration and enlighten residents on what he described as the government’s achievements in infrastructure, security, healthcare and youth empowerment.
“This election is not lottery. Presidency is not won by sentiments but by strategic planning,” the minister stated.
Umahi also boasted that Ebonyi State would massively support Tinubu in the next election.
“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.
Minister of Works, David Umahi, has stirred massive political reactions after warning South-East voters that the region could lose major federal infrastructure projects if it fails to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election..WATCH VIDEO HERE
Umahi made the controversial remarks during an inspection of ongoing federal road and bridge projects in Ebonyi State on Wednesday, where he openly linked continued development in the South-East to political support for the ruling APC.Politics
The former Ebonyi governor insisted that no previous administration had invested in the region the way Tinubu’s government is currently doing, pointing to several ongoing road projects across the South-East as proof.
Among the projects highlighted by the minister was the massive Calabar–Ebonyi–Benue–Nasarawa–Abuja Superhighway, which he described as one of the signature achievements of the Tinubu administration.
According to Umahi, the stretch running from Ndibe Beach in Ebonyi State to the Ebonyi–Benue boundary covers about 123 kilometres and is being constructed with reinforced concrete pavement alongside solar-powered streetlights.
He disclosed that the project is valued at over N450 billion and that the Federal Government has already released 50 percent of the funding.
The minister also revealed that another section of the road corridor stretching through Benue, Kogi and Nasarawa states towards the Oweto Bridge axis covers about 178 kilometres with a contract value of about N685 billion.
Despite acknowledging funding challenges affecting some contractors, Umahi insisted President Tinubu remains committed to completing the projects.
“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 stated.
However, the minister’s strongest comment came when he directly tied future federal projects to electoral support for the APC in the South-East.
“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,” Umahi declared.
The statement has since triggered fresh political debates online, with many Nigerians reacting to the minister’s blunt message ahead of the 2027 election.
Umahi further argued that only Tinubu has shown genuine commitment to completing abandoned infrastructure projects 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 minister also dismissed claims that the South-East is being marginalised under the current administration.
According to him, the appointment of an Igbo man to head the powerful Ministry of Works and the spread of federal projects across the region prove that the South-East has regained relevance in national politics.
“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,” Umahi said.
He went further to challenge political leaders in the region to publicly defend Tinubu’s administration and enlighten residents on what he described as the government’s achievements in infrastructure, security, healthcare and youth empowerment.
“This election is not lottery. Presidency is not won by sentiments but by strategic planning,” the minister stated.
Umahi also boasted that Ebonyi State would massively support Tinubu in the next election.
“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.
