The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has urged people of the South-East to support the re-election bid of President Bola Tinubu, warning that failure to do so could jeopardise the continuation of major federal infrastructure projects across the region.
Mr Umahi made the remarks during an inspection tour of ongoing federal road and bridge projects in Ebonyi State.
He described the projects being executed in the South-East as unprecedented, insisting that no previous administration had invested as heavily in the region’s infrastructure.
According to him, the stretch from Ndibe Beach in Ebonyi State to the Ebonyi–Benue boundary spans about 123 kilometres and is being constructed with reinforced concrete pavement and solar-powered streetlights at an estimated cost of N454 billion.
He disclosed that the Federal Government had already released 50 per cent funding for the project, while approvals were underway for the dualisation of critical sections of the route.
The minister further explained that section two of the corridor, stretching about 178 kilometres from the Ebonyi–Benue boundary through Benue, Kogi and Nasarawa states to Oweto Bridge, has a contract value of N685 billion.
While acknowledging the funding challenges facing contractors, Mr Umahi maintained that the Federal Government remained committed to meeting its obligations.
“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 said.
Referring to voting patterns in the last election, Mr Umahi said communities seeking completion of ongoing projects must support the ruling All Progressives Congress.
“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,” he declared.
According to him, projects of such magnitude could only be executed through federal intervention.
“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.
Mr Umahi also argued that the South-East had regained relevance in national politics under the current administration, citing his appointment as Minister of Works and the scale of projects being executed across the region.
“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,” he said.
The minister urged political leaders in the region to openly support the president and sensitise residents to the administration’s achievements.
“I challenge all leaders supporting the president to speak out openly. Our people need to hear the truth about what this administration is doing in the South-East,” he stated.
Mr Umahi projected that substantial portions of the projects would be completed before the end of the year and appealed to South-East voters to avoid sentiment in the 2027 elections.
“This election is not a lottery. The presidency is not won by sentiment but by strategic planning. We must support the President to complete these projects and secure greater opportunities for the South-East,” he said.
“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 added.