Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, has urged Peter Obi, the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, to join the ranks of Southeast governors in backing President Bola Tinubu.
Umahi made this appeal during a feature interview for an upcoming State House documentary commemorating Tinubu’s second anniversary in office.
The Minister emphasised that all governors in the Southeast are aligned in their support for Tinubu.
He also revealed that a section of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway is nearing completion, with tolls set to be introduced in December.
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Umahi stated that, despite differing political affiliations, the governors remain supportive of President Tinubu’s administration.
He further noted that the region is experiencing renewed federal attention and significant infrastructure development under Tinubu’s leadership.
He said, “The Igbo man is enterprising and blessed with God-given wisdom. What Ndi Igbo seek is fairness, Nigeria that treats every zone equally. That is what President Bola Tinubu is doing.
“Before, when I was governor and deputy governor, one of our major concerns in Ebonyi State 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 State.”
He observed that whereas cries of marginalisation once dominated discussions in the South East, the current administration has made substantial strides in addressing longstanding concerns over infrastructure and appointments.
“Today, the South East has a Minister of Works for the first time, and we are witnessing tangible 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.
“All the governors in the South East, irrespective of party affiliation, are collaborating with the President. We are even organising a summit to bring together all South-East leaders to formally endorse the President for the 2027 elections. We want our projects completed, the country’s unity strengthened, and the proper integration of Ndi Igbo ensured.”
Umahi urged prominent regional opposition figures to align with the President for the greater good of the South East.
“Leadership is not about oneself—it is about the people. If someone else is already delivering what you would have done for your people, support them. I call on my brother, His Excellency Peter Obi, to join us and work with Mr President.
“He must take part in this summit where we will collectively endorse President Tinubu for the 2027 election. I say it plainly: the South East is pleased with the President,” he declared.
Providing updates on four major national projects—the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, the Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway, the Trans-Saharan Trade Route, and the soon-to-be-procured Ogun-Ondo-Niger Corridor, Umahi described them as transformative investments designed to unlock Nigeria’s economic potential and deepen regional integration.
Regarding the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, the Minister revealed that over 80 per cent of Section 1, spanning 47.47 kilometres from Ahmadu Bello Way to the Lekki Deep Sea Port, terminating at Eleko Junction—had been completed.
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Work is also advancing on Section 2, which covers 55 kilometres from Eleko Junction to the Lagos-Ogun border.
“By December, we will begin tolling Section 1 of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway. We project a 10-year return on investment. The road features solar-powered lighting, CCTV infrastructure, and offers carbon credit benefits.
“It is more than a road—it is an economic corridor and a catalyst for regional growth. We have completed 30 kilometres of Section 1 and are on track to complete an additional 10 kilometres in Section 2. These are six-lane, concrete-paved highways.”
