Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, has urged Nigerians, particularly South-East residents, to support President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027.
Umahi made the appeal on Friday while inspecting ongoing Federal Government road projects in the Ebonyi section of the Cross River–Abuja Super Highway.
Projects inspected included the Abakaliki–Benue Highway, Abakaliki–Apkoha–Afikpo Road, Afikpo–Amasiri–Okigwe Road and other strategic federal road corridors.
The minister said President Tinubu had demonstrated commitment to national development through infrastructure investments and deserved support from Nigerians.
“My assignment is to appeal to and educate Nigerians on what the President is doing. People should know that Tinubu means well for this country,” he said.
Umahi said the South-East had benefitted considerably from federal infrastructure projects undertaken under the current administration.
He noted that the road projects were improving connectivity, boosting commerce and creating employment opportunities for residents and businesses along affected corridors.
“Everything cannot be corrected in three years, but he is making very serious efforts, and Nigerians should acknowledge the giant strides being recorded,” he said.
Commenting on the economy, Umahi said infrastructure development remained a key strategy for tackling economic challenges and stimulating growth nationwide.
He said the adoption of reinforced concrete pavement technology was delivering benefits beyond road durability by expanding economic activities.
“The introduction of reinforced concrete pavement is not only about durability; it is driving an economic revolution,” the minister stated.
He said increased demand for cement had strengthened local manufacturing, improved company earnings and generated additional employment opportunities for Nigerians.
“Cement manufacturers are recording increased turnover, making more profits and employing more Nigerians. Infrastructure development is creating opportunities across the country,” he said.
Umahi also defended the Federal Government’s borrowing policy, insisting that loans were being invested in productive infrastructure rather than recurrent expenditure.
“The President is not borrowing to buy vehicles or pay salaries. He is borrowing for infrastructure,” the minister said.
He added that borrowing for critical infrastructure was a global practice and that such investments would deliver long-term benefits for future generations.
On politics, Umahi advised South-East leaders and residents to adopt a broader and more strategic approach to national political participation.
“Political leaders and residents of the South-East should embrace strategic politics. The region alone cannot determine Nigeria’s presidency,” he said.
Umahi said presidential contests required support from all regions of the country.
He urged Nigerians to respect differing political opinions and avoid hostility toward those holding opposing views.
“The voice of the South-East alone cannot produce a President. We must be strategic. We should not insult people because they hold different political opinions,” he added.
Providing updates on the highway project, Umahi disclosed that Section One of the Cross River–Abuja Legacy Highway was approaching completion.
He said the section covered about 125 kilometres, with more than 30 per cent of the alignment passing through communities in Ebonyi.
According to him, contractors have been directed to engage more local workers to ensure host communities benefited directly from the project.
Umahi also revealed that Section Two, spanning about 168 kilometres across Ebonyi, Benue, Enugu and Kogi states, had been mobilised.
He said mobilisation followed the Federal Government’s payment of 30 per cent mobilisation funds to the contractor handling the section.
The minister expressed confidence that the completed highway would significantly reduce travel time between the South-East and the Federal Capital Territory.
He added that the project would strengthen regional integration, improve trade and support economic development across the affected states.
