It Is Not Yet Southeast’s Turn To Produce President

It Is Not Yet Southeast’s Turn To Produce President – Umahi Tells Peter Obi
He urged region to support Tinubu strategically
Minister listed projects as proof of federal attention

The Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, has said that former Anambra State governor, Peter Obi, should be told clearly that it is not yet the turn of the Southeast to produce Nigeria’s president, warning that such ambition could endanger the region politically.

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EKO HOT BLOG reports that Umahi spoke on the sidelines of an inspection of the 56 kilometre Aba axis of the Enugu Port Harcourt Expressway in Abia State. He urged the Southeast to adopt what he described as a strategic political approach by supporting President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general election.

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

“We have never had a Minister of Works from this region until now. 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.”

He said the zone must strengthen alliances with other regions and treat the 2027 election as an opportunity to reciprocate what he called the President’s goodwill.

“To have given Southeast the Minister of Works portfolio, we have never been Minister of Works, and you can see the product and the intention and good heart of the President, and so, it is time for a payback.

“We should not engage in sentiments. We should not engage in non-strategic moves. We should tell our brother, Peter Obi, that it is not yet our turn; when it is our turn, Nigerians and Southeast people will know when it is our turn,” he said.

Umahi maintained that projects and appointments under the current administration had addressed long standing complaints of neglect in the region. He cited major road projects including the Onitsha Owerri and Enugu Abakaliki corridors as proof of increased federal presence.

“Never in the history of Nigeria have we benefited as such. I was a Deputy Governor and then Governor for eight years. No single project came to that state, but today, we can boast of a number of projects that are ongoing. We can boast of trillions of naira projects going on in the Southeast, like in other regions,” he said.

The minister disclosed that the administration inherited 2,068 ongoing infrastructure projects nationwide valued at ₦13 trillion before the removal of fuel subsidy and naira flotation.

“To ensure these jobs don’t stop, we have migrated contractors like Arab Contractors to the Sukuk fund. They have ₦2 billion to claim immediately, and with the 2025 budget allocations, they will have access to ₦4.7bn by the end of this month,” he said.

Umahi also inspected works at the Alaoji Railway overhead bridge and the Obehie axis handled by Chinese firm CCECC and indigenous contractor JRB. He commended local contractors and announced a shift to reinforced concrete pavement on the Port Harcourt bound lane to improve durability.

“We are building roads, not just constructing them. JRB has been mobilised on emergency grounds to fast-track the remaining sections,” he said.

He directed contractors on the Enugu Port Harcourt Expressway to meet targets ahead of the planned commissioning of the Aba Imo River axis by President Tinubu.

Responding to concerns over transparency, the minister said he welcomed scrutiny.

It Is Not Yet Southeast’s Turn To Produce President – Umahi Tells Peter Obi

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