The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has defended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s record in the South East, rejecting claims by Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe that the region has no reason to support the President. Umahi warned that such assertions misrepresent facts and overlook tangible federal investments under the current administration.
Addressing journalists on Wednesday in Abuja, Umahi described Abaribe’s comments as an attack on both his integrity and the reality of federal presence in the South East during Tinubu’s tenure.
He said his response was driven by governance and verifiable outcomes, not politics. “I am not speaking as a politician. I am speaking as a minister directly involved in implementation and who knows what is happening on the ground,” he said.
Umahi maintained that the South East has benefitted substantially under Tinubu, adding that governors from the zone are aligned with the President’s agenda.
“All the South East governments are supporting the President because he has provided inclusive governance,” he said.
Citing Abia State, Umahi dismissed claims of marginalisation and praised Governor Alex Otti’s performance, attributing it to the enabling national climate created by Tinubu.
“If we did not have the audacity and courage to bring this moment to the sub-nationals, Governor Otti would not be doing what he is doing,” he said.
According to Umahi, Governor Otti has publicly acknowledged the role of the Federal Government in facilitating reforms and development at the state level.
The minister contrasted the Tinubu administration with the previous government, accusing it of excluding the South East from key national security appointments for eight years.
“How can a zone be totally excluded? President Bola Tinubu corrected that wickedness,” he said.
He cited the appointment of a South East officer as Chief of the Naval Staff and other strategic security roles, adding that the President recently approved the establishment of an army depot in Abia State.
“This is very key. The President has favoured Abia State, and by extension the entire South East, by providing an army training level to tackle insecurity,” Umahi said.
He dismissed Abaribe’s claim that the South East would not support Tinubu in 2027, describing it as a personal view rather than a collective position.
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“He was talking about himself. The governors of the South East are very happy and very grateful,” Umahi said.
Defending the administration’s economic reforms, the minister cited gains in exchange rate stability, moderating inflation, student loan interventions, food price monitoring and improved security operations.
He declared that the worst phase of the economic adjustment was over, adding that President Tinubu was reclaiming the country for Nigerians.
Umahi cautioned against reckless public commentary, warning that misinformation could undermine national cohesion.
“When people counsel without knowledge, it becomes dangerous,” he said.
He urged South East residents to embrace national unity and reject narratives of exclusion.
“This country belongs to all of us. No one is a stranger. We all have equal rights,” he said.
On infrastructure, Umahi listed several federal projects across the South East, insisting they contradicted claims of neglect. He cited the Enugu power plant, which became operational under Tinubu, alongside major road and bridge projects in Abia, Enugu, Ebonyi and Imo states.
He also defended the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway, describing allegations of procurement violations as a direct assault on his integrity.
“There are three procurement processes under the Procurement Act. He should study them and tell me where there was any infringement,” Umahi said.
According to him, the project complied fully with Environmental and Social Impact Assessment requirements and involved extensive stakeholder consultations.
“The Dutch Development Bank evaluated it and confirmed that the project is properly packaged and of very high quality, which is why it was oversubscribed by $100 million,” he said.
Umahi listed other ongoing projects, including the N456 billion Trans-Saharan road linking South East states, the N170 billion Second Niger Bridge bypass, the Enugu–Abakaliki dual carriageway and several tax-credit-funded roads executed with Dangote Industries.
“That road had been ongoing for 20 years and was brought to rest by President Tinubu,” he said.
He also cited completed and near-completed flyovers in Enugu and improved connectivity between Aba and Port Harcourt.
“Before, you could not travel between Aba and Port Harcourt. Today, one carriageway is fully completed,” he said.
Umahi said aggressive road construction remains central to the President’s economic strategy.
“Roads are the catalyst for GDP growth. Every other sector grows from it,” he said.
He disclosed that the Ministry of Works has deployed more than 80 independent media supervisors to monitor projects and report progress directly to Nigerians.
“They go to the corridors, interview people, video the projects and post them so Nigerians can see and comment,” he said.
Umahi also announced the Presidential Infrastructure and Engineering Leadership Programme, under which 10 young civil engineers from each state will be attached to major projects, alongside artisans, beginning in January.
On contract reforms, he said the government had abolished abusive price variation practices.
“If we give you a job, you must do the job. You cannot bid low and later return with excuses,” he said.
He added that advance payments must be fully utilised before further claims, noting that anti-corruption agencies have been directed to verify all federal road contracts awarded since 2020.
“If you have any petition, write to the EFCC or ICPC. They are already on site,” he said.
Umahi said the government is leveraging innovative financing models, committing 30 per cent counterpart funding while attracting up to 70 per cent international financing, with growing investor interest in highway concessions.
