Umahi Urges South East to Back Tinubu in 2027

Minister of Works, David Umahi, has called on the South East to rally behind President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election, pointing to key federal appointments and infrastructure developments in the region as evidence of meaningful national integration.

Umahi made the appeal on Sunday evening in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, after joining the state’s Muslim community in celebrating the Eid-el-Kabir festival.

The former governor of Ebonyi State commended President Tinubu for what he described as a deliberate effort to include the South East in Nigeria’s development agenda, citing the resolution of the herdsmen-farmer conflict and the initiation of significant federal projects across the region.

“Before now, there were no federal projects in Ebonyi State. Today, you can see federal presence across the entire South East. Is that not integration?” Umahi queried.

Highlighting strategic appointments of South Easterners under the Tinubu administration, Umahi noted his own position as Minister of Works, alongside the appointments of an Igbo Chief of Naval Staff and the Minister of Science and Technology.

“For President Bola Tinubu to appoint an Igbo man as Minister of Works, Chief of Naval Staff, and Minister of Science and Technology—is that not integration?” he asked.

He urged the South East to recognize these moves as signs of inclusion and respond with political support in the next general election.

“We need to be properly integrated. Other regions are already making demands because they have been integrated. Let’s work together and support this President who has shown us inclusion,” Umahi stated.

Touching on regional security, Umahi credited Tinubu for improvements in the South East, particularly in tackling the once widespread herdsmen-related violence.

“When I was Governor, herdsmen issues were a major problem. But now, do you still hear of those issues like before? That is one thing the President has done for the South East,” he noted.

The Minister also expressed appreciation for the trust reposed in him by President Tinubu, revealing that he is overseeing infrastructure projects worth over ₦1 trillion.

“I want to thank Mr. President for the confidence he has in me. It means contractors must now be on their toes. I’m targeting at least 30 additional major projects to be commissioned by December 20 this year,” he said.

Umahi pledged to personally supervise no fewer than 90% of all federal projects under his ministry across the country, emphasizing his hands-on approach.

“I understand these projects. Wake me up and I can tell you their locations, stages, and contractors. I get involved in actual construction and supervision. It hasn’t been easy, but the Lord is my strength,” he concluded.