The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has said the south-east geopolitical zone will deliver 90 percent of its votes to President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.
Umahi made the declaration on Saturday during an inspection of the Alaoji section of the Enugu–Port Harcourt Expressway. He argued that the region must adopt a strategic political approach, adding that it is not yet the turn of the south-east to produce Nigeria’s president.
Praising Tinubu’s infrastructure drive in the region, Umahi said the president had addressed longstanding complaints of marginalisation.
“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.
“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.”
He pointed to ongoing road projects stretching from Port Harcourt to Enugu as evidence of significant federal investment, noting that the region is witnessing unprecedented infrastructure development.
“When I was deputy governor, then governor for eight years, not a single federal road project came to the state. But today, we can boast of numerous projects ongoing,” he said.
“We can boast of projects worth trillions of naira in the south-east, just like in other regions. 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.”
Umahi assured contractors handling the expressway that funds would be released promptly to ensure completion before the president’s planned inspection of projects in the south-east and south-south regions in May.
He said the road is being constructed to last 50 years and invited public scrutiny of the project.
“Criticise us and praise us, nothing goes wrong. Our eyes are on the ball, and we are committed in prayers for the president. I urge Nigerians to visit project sites to verify progress,” he said.
“All projects have been sent to the ICPC for evaluation, so transparency is ensured.”
The minister also inspected the Port Harcourt axis of the expressway being executed by an indigenous contractor.
