Minister of Works, David Umahi, has called for stronger Tinubu support in the South-East ahead of the 2027 general elections, stating that continued federal infrastructure development in the region depends on political cooperation with the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Umahi made the remarks during an inspection tour of ongoing federal road and bridge projects in Ebonyi State, where he highlighted several large-scale infrastructure projects currently under construction.
The minister said the current administration had undertaken projects that previous governments failed to execute across the South-East. Among the projects inspected was the Calabar–Ebonyi–Benue–Nasarawa–Abuja Superhighway, which he described as one of the Federal Government’s legacy infrastructure projects. According to Umahi, the section stretching from Ndibe Beach in Ebonyi State to the Ebonyi–Benue boundary spans approximately 123 kilometres and is being constructed using reinforced concrete pavement with solar-powered streetlights.
Umahi disclosed that the project carries an estimated cost of N454 billion and that the Federal Government had already released 50 percent of the required funding. He also stated that approvals were being processed for the dualisation of additional sections along the corridor. Another section of the route, extending about 178 kilometres from the Ebonyi–Benue boundary through Benue, Kogi and Nasarawa states to Oweto Bridge, was valued at N685 billion, according to the minister.
Addressing contractors and residents during the inspection, Umahi acknowledged existing funding challenges but maintained that the Federal Government remained committed to completing the projects. He said, “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.”
The minister further linked Tinubu support to the continuation of federal infrastructure projects in the South-East. Referring to voting patterns in previous elections, Umahi said communities benefiting from ongoing federal works should align politically with the administration to secure continued development.
He stated, “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.”
Umahi also argued that the South-East had gained greater relevance in national politics under the present administration. He cited his appointment as Minister of Works and ongoing federal projects across the region as examples of increased federal attention to the zone.
He urged political leaders in the South-East to publicly mobilise Tinubu support ahead of the 2027 elections, insisting that infrastructure, economic development, and regional integration required sustained cooperation with the Federal Government.
