South East to Deliver 90% Votes for Tinubu in 2027 — Umahi

Abuja, Nigeria — The Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, has predicted that the South East geopolitical zone will give 90 per cent support to President Bola Tinubu in the February 20, 2027, presidential election.

Umahi made the statement on Saturday during an inspection of the Alaoji axis of the Enugu‑Port Harcourt Expressway, stressing that it is not yet the South East’s turn to produce the president and that the region must act strategically in its political decisions.

“All the marginalisation we complain about has been addressed by the president. Unless we are not being truthful to ourselves, there is no more marginalisation in the South East,” Umahi said.

He highlighted the significance of the Ministry of Works being assigned to the zone, noting, “You know, giving the Ministry of Works to the South East is no mean feat, because we have never had a Minister of Works. You can see the results and the intention of the president. You can see the good heart of the president. So it’s time for payback. You all know the amount of work from Port Harcourt down to Enugu. Every section of this project is ongoing for completion. Never in Nigeria’s history have we benefited as much.”

“The biggest legacy projects of the president are in the South East. We have service chiefs, key appointments, and a lot happening in the South East under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. So it’s time to support the president. The people of the South East should support the president. We should not be guided by sentiments or non-strategic moves. We should tell our brother Peter Obi that it is not yet our turn,” he added.

Umahi assured the company handling the expressway project of the prompt release of funds to ensure timely completion ahead of the presidential tour of projects in the South East and South-South in May. He commended contractors for their commitment and acknowledged the challenges inherited by the Federal Government, saying: “Yes, we had funding challenges across the country because when the president came on board, he inherited 2,068 ongoing projects, with a total cost of 19 trillion naira. That was before the removal of the fuel subsidy and the depreciation of the naira.”

He added, “Even after prioritisation, rephasing, and rescoping, the total ongoing projects, excluding NNPC-related, legacy, and private sector projects, still amount to 16.9 trillion naira. We had to appeal to contractors, who are partners with the Ministry of Works in national development. Arab Contractors are one of them. What they have achieved in the past nine months is commendable, and it is time for us to support them. That’s why we migrated them to Sukuk. Out of the 8.3 billion naira allocated in Sukuk, they have 2 billion to claim. As directed by Mr. President, 30 percent of the 2025 budget will be paid, with the remaining 70 per cent migrated to 2026, starting in April. Out of the 8.3 billion, we have 9 billion in the 2025 budget, meaning 2.7 billion is to be completed, plus 2 billion, giving them 4.7 billion naira to complete immediately. I provide this analysis to assure Arab Contractors and the public that the project will not stop. They have done fantastic work.”

On the inspection, Umahi noted that the second carriageway towards Port Harcourt has had all major works completed. “What remains is the combined and wearing course. I have redesigned the remaining service lane, introducing 20 cm of lumps, followed by sand, stone base, cement-treated stone base, and finally 20 cm of concrete. If funds remain, further calculations will be done. The road section is designed to last for 50 years, and we welcome constructive criticism.”

He urged Nigerians to visit project sites to verify progress, adding that all projects have been sent to the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) for evaluation, ensuring transparency.

Umahi also inspected the Port Harcourt axis of the expressway, executed by an indigenous contractor. Present during the inspection were the Senior Special Assistant to the President on the South East, Barr. Chioma Nwaeze, and the Project Manager for Arab Contractors, Mr Mah Moud, along with aides to the minister.