Umahi to Obi: Southeast Must Wait for Presidency

Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, has said former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi, should be told “in plain language” that it is not yet the turn of the Igbo to produce Nigeria’s president, cautioning that his ambition should not endanger the Southeast.

Umahi made the remarks while addressing journalists during an inspection tour of the 56-kilometre Aba axis of the Enugu–Port Harcourt Expressway in Abia State.

He argued that the Southeast has benefitted significantly under the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu, insisting that claims of marginalisation of the region are no longer valid.

“Unless we are not telling ourselves the truth, there is no more marginalisation in the Southeast,” the minister said.

According to him, the appointment of a Minister of Works from the region for the first time, alongside ongoing infrastructure projects and key federal appointments, demonstrates the President’s commitment to the zone.

“It is time for the Southeast to be strategic and support President Tinubu. We should tell our brother, Peter Obi, that it is not yet our turn,” Umahi stated, urging the region to build alliances with other parts of the country ahead of the 2027 general election.

The minister highlighted major projects ongoing in the region, including the Onitsha–Owerri and Enugu–Abakaliki corridors, as well as works along the Port Harcourt–Enugu route. He also assessed progress at the Alaoji Railway overhead bridge and the Obehie axis, commending contractors for their performance.

Umahi disclosed that the current administration inherited 2,068 ongoing projects valued at ₦13 trillion prior to the removal of fuel subsidy and the flotation of the naira.

“To ensure these jobs don’t stop, we migrated some contractors to the Sukuk fund. Arab Contractors, for instance, has ₦2 billion to claim immediately and will access ₦4.7 billion from the 2025 budget allocation before the end of the month,” he said.

At the Obehie axis, handled by CCECC and indigenous firm JRB, the minister praised the quality of work and announced a shift to reinforced concrete pavement on the Port Harcourt-bound lane to ensure durability of up to 50 years.

“We are building roads, not just constructing them,” he added.

Umahi also directed contractors handling sections of the Enugu–Port Harcourt Expressway to meet a May 15 target for the commissioning of the Aba to Imo River stretch by President Tinubu.

Responding to concerns about transparency, the minister maintained that all projects are open to scrutiny.

“They want me to be accountable, and I enjoy it. If you have a petition, send it to the ICPC. Our projects are open for verification,” he said.