No Government Has Delivered More to South East Than Tinubu’s — Umahi Declares

Minister of Works David Umahi has reiterated his call for the South East to support President Bola Tinubu’s bid for a second term, citing what he described as unmatched infrastructure investments in the region under the current administration. Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja, the Minister argued that no previous government has made such tangible efforts toward the development of the South East, especially in road infrastructure.

Responding to criticisms about his earlier remarks on political alignment, Umahi maintained that his position is not merely personal opinion, but a reflection of Nigeria’s political reality. He stated that the South East must engage strategically if it hopes to achieve its long-standing ambition of producing a president. According to him, reciprocal support and cross-regional alliances are critical elements in Nigeria’s democratic system.

Addressing concerns over reports of cracks along a newly commissioned section of the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway, the Minister clarified that the cracks were found only on the sand-filled shoulders of the road, not the main carriageway. He described the damage as surface erosion, unrelated to the structural integrity of the highway, and assured that proper drainage and ducting systems are being implemented to ensure long-term stability.

On infrastructure more broadly, Umahi provided updates on multiple ongoing projects across Nigeria. He noted that emergency repairs are underway on flood-damaged roads such as the Lagos–Badagry Expressway, while full concrete reconstruction has commenced on the Ibadan–Ife–Ilesha Road. The Minister also mentioned that contractors have been mobilised across key South-West routes, including the Ibadan–Oyo Road and the Ife–Akure–Benin corridor.

In the South East, delays in the Enugu–Onitsha Expressway led to a reshuffling of contractors, resulting in the reassignment of a ₦150 billion portion of the project. Other strategic efforts include the First Niger Bridge–Summit Junction corridor, now under emergency procurement.

Nationally, Umahi stated that palliative interventions are being implemented on roads affected by flooding and structural erosion, including critical points along the Lokoja–Abuja Bridge, the Keffi Flyover, and in the North-East. He also disclosed that construction activity is being ramped up in the Gombe–Bauchi–Kano–Maiduguri axis, with reinforced efforts to rebuild washed-out roads.

He acknowledged funding constraints, particularly concerning roads previously backed by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC), and revealed that the federal government is now exploring alternative financing mechanisms to ensure continuity of all approved projects.

Regarding criticism that his tenure as governor was infrastructure-focused at the expense of welfare, Umahi defended his approach by emphasizing the economic importance of building during recessions. He likened infrastructure investment to teaching people to fish, rather than handing out fish, noting that his successor in Ebonyi State has followed the same model.

On the subject of an Igbo presidency, the Minister stressed the importance of patience and preparation. He argued that political power in Nigeria is not achieved through sentiment but by deliberate strategic alliances. Umahi added that when the time comes, the South East must be ready with qualified, united, and accountable leadership.

The Minister concluded with a call for political education, urging citizens of the South East to avoid deception and base their political engagement on truth and realism.