Minister of Works, David Umahi, has declared that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s inclusive governance and renewed infrastructure push have restored the South-East’s confidence in the Federal Government, assuring that the region will back the President in the 2027 general election.

Speaking at a media briefing in Abuja on Wednesday, Umahi said the Tinubu administration has dismantled long-standing claims of marginalisation by deliberately integrating the South-East into national development plans, particularly in infrastructure and security.

According to him, the era of exclusion is over, as the region now enjoys visible federal presence and attention.

“President Bola Tinubu has done very well for the South-East, and we will vote for him in 2027,” the minister said.

While acknowledging calls in some quarters that it is the South-East’s turn to produce the President, Umahi insisted that Tinubu should be allowed to complete his constitutionally permitted two terms.

“If I have never been president before, is it Bola Tinubu that will suddenly make it possible overnight by ceding his mandate?” he asked. “No. He must complete his eight years. We are comfortable with what he is doing.”

Umahi described the current level of inclusion as a significant step towards healing historical grievances, noting that other regions, including the South-South, are also benefitting from the administration’s policies.

“There is no need for Biafra agitation. We are better in Nigeria,” he said.

He urged South-East leaders to challenge misinformation and what he termed uninformed criticism of the government.

“We cannot keep quiet while people without economic understanding or knowledge of this administration continue to darken counsel without knowledge,” he added.

Umahi Tackles Abaribe’s Claims

The minister also responded to recent comments by Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe (Abia South), who questioned the level of federal presence in the region. Umahi dismissed the claims as inaccurate and politically motivated.

“I will continue to boast that all South-East governors are supporting Mr President because of the inclusive governance he has provided,” he said.

He cited several projects to back his position, including the establishment of an army training depot in Ebonyi State to address insecurity, the operationalisation of the Enyimba Power Plant, and the appointment of key security chiefs from the South-East.

Umahi also listed major road and bridge projects, such as sections of the Lagos–Calabar coastal highway, the trans-Saharan road linking Ebonyi, Enugu and Benue states, the Second Niger Bridge bypass, the Enugu–Abakaliki dual carriageway, the Enugu–Onitsha road and the Enugu–Port Harcourt Expressway.

He said many of the projects had been abandoned for decades before being revived by the Tinubu administration, with several now fully funded or receiving substantial advance payments.

Lagos–Calabar Highway and Due Process

Addressing allegations of procurement violations in the award of the Lagos–Calabar coastal highway, Umahi dismissed the claims, urging critics to familiarise themselves with the Procurement Act.

He said due process was followed, including environmental and social impact assessments and stakeholder engagements, adding that international financiers, including the Dutch Development Bank, had endorsed the project.

“The project was oversubscribed by international financiers. These are not people you deceive,” he said.

Calling for constructive, fact-based criticism, Umahi appealed to Nigerians to embrace national engagement rather than separatist agitations.

He expressed confidence that by the end of Tinubu’s tenure, Nigeria would emerge more united, stable and economically resilient.

“The journey has just started. We strongly believe in this administration. The South-East is better in Nigeria,” he said.