Minister of Works, Senator Dave Umahi, has said all South East governors are now firmly in support of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, regardless of their political affiliations, and urged opposition leaders like Peter Obi to also join in backing the President.
Umahi made the call during an interview for an upcoming State House documentary ahead of Tinubu’s second anniversary.
His remarks were shared in a statement issued on Tuesday, May 20, by presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga.
“The Igbo man is enterprising and blessed with God-given wisdom. What Ndi Igbo seeks is fairness, Nigeria that treats every zone equally. That is what President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is doing,” Umahi said.
He stressed that the region, once plagued by concerns of marginalisation, is now witnessing major federal projects and attention under Tinubu’s leadership.
“Before, when I was governor and deputy governor, one of our major concerns in Ebonyi was the lack of federal presence. But today, nobody remembers that issue anymore. Under President Tinubu, at least four federal projects are ongoing in Ebonyi,” he said.
Highlighting ongoing infrastructure, Umahi said the administration has delivered tangible results:
“Today, the South East has a Minister of Works for the first time, and we’re seeing real projects –Port Harcourt to Enugu, Enugu to Abakaliki, Enugu to Onitsha, Onitsha to Owerri, and the Second Niger Bridge. The President has already paid 30 per cent of the cost of that bridge.”
He disclosed that South East governors are planning a regional summit to formally endorse Tinubu for the 2027 election.
“All the governors in the South East, regardless of party affiliation, are working with the President. We’re even planning a summit to bring together all South-East leaders to endorse the President for the 2027 elections formally.
“We want our projects to be completed, the country’s unity to be strengthened and proper integration of Ndi Igbo,” Umahi said.
Appealing directly to Peter Obi, Umahi said leadership should prioritise people over personal ambition.
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“Leadership is not about self – it’s about the people. If someone else is already doing what you would have done for your people, support him. I call on my brother, His Excellency Peter Obi, to join us and work with Mr President.
“He must be part of this summit where we will collectively endorse President Tinubu for the 2027 election. I say it boldly: the South East is happy with the President,” he added.
On national infrastructure, Umahi provided updates on four strategic projects: the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, the Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway, the Trans-Saharan Trade Route, and the Ogun-Ondo-Niger Corridor.
According to him, Section 1 of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, stretching 47.47km from Ahmadu Bello Way to the Lekki Deep Sea Port, is over 80 per cent complete and will be tolled by December.
“By December, we will toll Section 1 of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway. We project a 10-year return on investment. The road has solar-powered lighting and CCTV infrastructure and offers carbon credit advantages. It is more than a road – it is an economic corridor and a catalyst for regional growth,” Umahi explained.
He noted that Sections 3 and 3B of the highway have been flagged off, covering 65 kilometres across Cross River and Akwa Ibom states, with excited reactions from host communities.
The minister also spoke on the long-envisioned Sokoto-Badagry route and the revival of the colonial-era Trans-Saharan Trade Route, crediting President Tinubu for pushing old projects back onto the national agenda.
“The Trans-Saharan Trade Route dates back to colonial-era planning. President Tinubu is now bringing these long-abandoned visions to life,” he said.
According to Umahi, the Lagos-Calabar project was inspired by Tinubu seven years ago.
“Today, he is actualising that vision. These projects testify to his unwavering commitment to national development and a better future for all Nigerians.”
He concluded by describing the projects as “economically viable, environmentally sustainable, and forward-looking.”