The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has declared that the presidential candidate of National Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, cannot win the 2027 presidential election, saying increased political awareness in the South-East will cost him votes.
Umahi stated this on Tuesday in Abuja while receiving a report from the National Association of Nigerian Students [NANS] on its nationwide tour of federal roads.
The Minister urged South-East leaders to enlighten the people on what he described as the achievements of President Bola Tinubu’s administration in the region.
“The more we educate our people, the less votes Peter Obi will get. Peter Obi cannot win in 2027. It is important for the leaders of the South-East to be bold, vocal and speak to our people, the Igbos, about what President Tinubu has done and is doing for the Igbos,” he said.
Umahi threw his weight behind Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, for openly supporting President Tinubu, saying supporters of the President should not be vilified for their political choice.
“I support the Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo, for his boldness in supporting the President. People should stop insulting supporters of the President; people should be allowed to support him,” he said.
He claimed the Tinubu administration had done more for the South-East than any previous government in terms of appointments, inclusion and projects.
“No other President has done what President Tinubu has done for the South-East, whether by appointment, inclusion or projects,” Umahi said, adding that infrastructure such as roads and bridges remains critical to economic development.
On funding of legacy projects, Umahi said the Federal Government would provide 30 per cent of the cost, while the balance would be sourced from loans to be repaid through tolling.
“The Federal Government is providing 30 per cent of the funds and the remaining balance is from loans which will be payable by tolling,” he said.
The Minister also decried vandalism and reckless driving on the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, alleging that some persons were removing iron used for road demarcation and manhole covers, while motorists overspeed on the corridor.
“People cut the iron we used for demarcation, remove manhole covers and even overspeed. This is unacceptable,” he said.
Earlier, NANS President, Akinteye Babatunde Afeez, said the North-West leg of the students’ road tour covered Kano, Jigawa, Kaduna and Sokoto States.
He said the team inspected the Kano-Maiduguri, Kano-Katsina, Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano, Mando-Birnin Gwari, Sokoto-Badagry and Illela-Dukamaje roads, which connect more than 10 tertiary institutions.
Afeez said NANS was impressed by the scale, quality and pace of work observed, but recommended the construction of a pedestrian bridge at the Federal Co-operative College, Kaduna, to improve students’ safety.