The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has urged the people of the Southeast to reciprocate what he described as “unprecedented” federal attention to the region by voting overwhelmingly for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.
Umahi made the appeal on Friday while inspecting the Ebonyi section of the Cross River–Abuja Super Highway, one of the legacy projects of the current administration.
“Ebonyi is one of the greatest beneficiaries of President Tinubu’s administration. We should continue to pray for him and support him. We are getting what we never got before, and I believe all these legacy projects will be completed under his second term,” the minister said.
Umahi maintained that the Tinubu administration had demonstrated fairness to the Southeast through strategic investments in road infrastructure.
“My assignment is to beg, appeal and educate Nigerians on what the President is doing. People should know that President Tinubu means well for this country. Everything cannot be corrected in three years, but he is making very serious efforts,” he stated.
He said the ongoing projects were improving connectivity, stimulating economic activities and creating thousands of direct and indirect jobs.
“The introduction of reinforced concrete pavement is not only about durability; it is driving economic revolution. Cement manufacturers are recording increased turnover, making more profit and employing more Nigerians,” Umahi added.
The former Ebonyi governor also urged Southeast leaders to embrace strategic politics, stressing that the region alone cannot produce the president.
“Our brother, Peter Obi, is contesting for the presidency of the entire country, not the presidency of the Southeast. The voice of the Southeast alone cannot produce a President. We must be strategic. We should not insult people because they hold different political opinions,” he said.
On the Cross River–Abuja Highway, Umahi disclosed that Section One, covering about 125 kilometres, was nearing completion, with over 30 per cent passing through Ebonyi communities.
Section Two, spanning 168 kilometres through Ebonyi, Benue, Enugu and Kogi, has also been mobilised after the Federal Government paid 30 per cent to the contractor.
He said the completed highway would reduce travel time significantly.
“If you are from Ebonyi State, you can get to Abuja in about three hours, and if you are from Enugu, you can get there in about two hours. That is the kind of development we are talking about.”
Umahi further cited the Enugu–Onitsha Expressway as another success story, expressing optimism it would be completed by December with solar streetlights and tolling facilities.
He defended the government’s borrowing, saying: “The President is not borrowing to buy vehicles or pay salaries. He is borrowing for infrastructure. These investments will serve generations to come.”
The minister also dismissed allegations that the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway alignment was altered to favour private estates, saying engineering realities informed the final design.