The Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, has emphatically declared that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has shown consistent love and fairness towards the South East.
He urged the people of the region to recognise these efforts and rally behind the President’s second-term bid in 2027, noting that the aspiration for an Igbo presidency is not realistically attainable in that election cycle.
Umahi made these remarks in a personally signed statement released in Abuja on Monday, in reaction to a widely circulated social media post by one Mr Linus Anagboso (popularly known as D-Big Pen), titled “The Politics of Asphalt: Why is the South East Missing from the Map?”.
Responding to the claims in the publication, Umahi dismissed them as misleading and politically motivated, aimed at deceiving the public and sowing division. According to him, such narratives ignore the substantial and ongoing infrastructural work being carried out in the South East under President Tinubu’s administration.
He stated: “I understand that politics is already in full swing, and some individuals have chosen deception as their strategy—trying to appear as heroes of the people, while deliberately closing their eyes to the remarkable, selfless infrastructure development being implemented by Mr. President across the country.”
Umahi called on the South East to reject divisive politics and instead embrace unity and constructive engagement. He stressed the importance of political maturity, cautioning against the politics of misinformation, hate, and sentiment, which he said would only hinder the region’s long-term goals.
“We must not allow ourselves to be deceived again. The South East must rise to educate its people. If we genuinely aspire to the presidency in the future, we must avoid politics driven by hostility and falsehood. We need to build alliances across regions, and in due time, others will support us. However, 2027 is not our turn.”
Reinforcing his message, he continued: “President Tinubu deserves overwhelming support from the South East in the 2027 elections—at least 90% of the votes. This will solidify our relationship with the centre and show that we value fairness when we see it. We must support him to complete his constitutionally permitted two terms, just as other regions have done for their leaders in the past.”
Umahi also took the opportunity to commend the South East governors for their developmental strides and for standing firmly with President Tinubu.
“I appreciate our South East governors for the commendable work they are doing for our people. I urge the public to support both the President and our state leaders as they pursue re-election and further development of our region.”
The Minister revealed that he has ordered all regional directors within the Federal Ministry of Works to return to construction sites and compile detailed reports of both inherited and newly awarded projects across all six geo-political zones. He said this documentation would serve to highlight the scale of work underway under Tinubu’s leadership, regardless of voting patterns in the 2023 elections.
“The President is intentionally using infrastructure as a tool for national unity and hope restoration. Those who are truly observant will see the visible transformation taking place.”
To further dispel misinformation, Umahi outlined major infrastructural projects that prove the South East is not neglected. He stated that President Tinubu has four key legacy projects spanning all six geo-political zones, with the South East significantly represented in the third project corridor, which stretches from Cross River through Ebonyi, Benue, Kogi, and Nasarawa to Abuja. Of the 465km x2 dual carriageway, 231.64km x2 lies within the South East and is valued at N445.8 billion, already awarded and under active construction.
“As of today, President Tinubu has already released N108 billion towards this massive project. What the Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved on July 31, 2025, was a scope revision of the corridor from 118km x1 to 231.64km x1 at a total cost of N445.8 billion.”
He criticised Anagboso’s report for mischaracterising this project as the “Oyo-Benue border road” rather than accurately identifying it as the Trans-Saharan Corridor spanning Ebonyi to Benue.
“The writer’s deliberate attempt to distort the facts and stir unnecessary anger among the South East public is both mischievous and damaging. I challenge him to correct the record—even if he refuses to apologise.”
The Minister also listed several other ongoing federal projects in the region under Tinubu’s administration, including:
2nd Niger Bridge access roads: Section 2A in Delta State (N146 billion) and Section 2B in Anambra State (N176 billion)
Enugu-Onitsha Expressway: 208km, supported through MTN Tax Credit at N202 billion, and the remaining portion handled by CBC at N150 billion, with N45 billion recently released
Enugu–Port Harcourt Expressway: Divided into four sections and under reconstruction
Enugu–Abakaliki Road
Afikpo–Abia–Imo Road
Onitsha–Owerri–Aba Road
Aba–Ikot Ekpene Road
Umuahia–Ikot Ekpene Road, among others
He also noted that up to 90% of abandoned road projects awarded as far back as 2013 have been revived and are currently under execution.
Concluding, Umahi emphasised that President Tinubu’s approach to governance has been one of inclusiveness and justice, without regard to regional or political affiliations. He urged all well-meaning Nigerians, especially those from the South East, to acknowledge the truth and support the government’s efforts.