Nigeria’s Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, has urged leaders in the Southeast to be frank with former Anambra State governor, Peter Obi, saying the region should wait its turn to produce Nigeria’s president, warning that pushing such ambition now could harm the zone politically.
Umahi made the remarks while speaking with journalists during an inspection of the reconstructed Aba section of the Enugu–Port Harcourt Expressway in Abia State.
He advised the Southeast to adopt a more strategic political stance by backing President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general elections.
According to the minister, claims of continued marginalisation of the Southeast no longer reflect current realities, noting that the region now holds key federal positions and enjoys renewed attention in infrastructure development.
Umahi stressed that the zone should build alliances with other regions and use the 2027 elections to reciprocate what he described as the president’s goodwill toward the Southeast.
He pointed to ongoing road projects across the region, including major corridors linking Onitsha, Owerri, Enugu, and Abakaliki, saying federal investments have significantly increased compared to previous administrations.
Reflecting on past administrations, Umahi said that while he served as deputy governor and governor, his state received little federal infrastructure support. However, he noted that several major projects are now underway across the Southeast, matching developments in other parts of Nigeria.
The minister added that the current administration inherited more than 2,000 ongoing infrastructure projects nationwide valued at about ₦13 trillion before economic reforms, including fuel subsidy removal and naira liberalisation.
To keep projects running, he explained that some contractors, including Arab Contractors, were moved to Sukuk-funded arrangements, enabling them to receive payments while new budget releases are processed.
Umahi also inspected work on the Alaoji railway overhead bridge and other sections handled by CCECC and indigenous contractor JRB Construction, praising local firms for improved performance.
He announced that reinforced concrete pavement would now be used on parts of the Port Harcourt-bound carriageway to improve road durability, adding that emergency mobilisation had been approved to speed up completion of remaining sections.
The minister directed contractors handling the Enugu–Port Harcourt Expressway project to meet timelines that would allow President Tinubu to commission the Aba–Imo River section upon completion.
Addressing concerns about transparency in project execution, Umahi said he welcomes scrutiny and urged critics to submit complaints to the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission, insisting that all projects remain open for verification and accountability.
