David Umahi Urges South-East Voters to Back Tinubu Over Peter Obi Ahead of 2027 Election
David Umahi Urges South-East Voters to Back Tinubu Over Peter Obi Ahead of 2027 Election
David Umahi urges South-East voters to support Bola Tinubu over Peter Obi in 2027, citing infrastructure projects and continuity of federal road projects.
Minister of Works David Umahi has called on voters in the South-East and other parts of Nigeria to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election, saying Nigerians should not take risks with ongoing infrastructure projects.
Umahi made the statement while inspecting major road projects linked to the Cross River–Abuja corridor and other federal infrastructure projects.
The minister, who previously served as governor of Ebonyi State, also dismissed suggestions that his decision to speak against Peter Obi amounts to a personal attack on the former Anambra State governor.
According to Umahi, he is not attacking Obi but is openly encouraging people in the South-East and across Nigeria to vote for Tinubu.
His comments have added another dimension to the political conversation ahead of the 2027 general election, particularly in the South-East, where Obi remains a prominent political figure.
Umahi: I Am Not Attacking Peter Obi
Umahi said he had received criticism from some Nigerians because of his support for President Tinubu and his opposition to Peter Obi's political ambitions.
The minister acknowledged that some people had accused him of attacking Obi but insisted that this was not his intention.
Rather, he said he was exercising his political position by asking Nigerians, particularly people from the South-East, to support Tinubu.
Umahi maintained that he had no regret about supporting the President and said his position was influenced by the infrastructure projects being implemented by the federal government.
He specifically pointed to major road projects in the South-East as evidence of what he described as the administration's commitment to improving infrastructure in the region.
His comments are likely to attract considerable attention as political parties and potential presidential candidates begin positioning themselves ahead of the 2027 election.
Why Umahi Is Supporting Tinubu
Infrastructure is at the centre of Umahi's argument for supporting President Tinubu.
The minister said he believes the federal government's road construction and rehabilitation projects should be considered when Nigerians evaluate the performance of the administration.
According to Umahi, several major projects are either under construction or approaching completion, and he believes continuity is necessary to prevent them from becoming abandoned projects.
He argued that a change of government could potentially lead to the review or renegotiation of ongoing projects, a situation he said has occurred in Nigeria in the past.
Umahi therefore urged Nigerians to support Tinubu for another term so that projects already started can be completed.
The minister's position effectively turns infrastructure delivery into one of the major reasons he is asking South-East voters to support the President.
However, Nigerian voters will ultimately make their choices based on a wide range of issues, including economic conditions, security, employment, infrastructure, healthcare, education and governance.
Enugu-Onitsha Expressway Highlighted
One of the major infrastructure projects highlighted by Umahi is the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway.
The highway is an important transportation corridor in the South-East, connecting major commercial and population centres.
Umahi described the project as a success story and said the road is expected to be fully completed by December, according to his statement.
He also mentioned plans for solar lighting and tree planting along the road, as well as the use of reinforced concrete pavement in significant sections.
The minister further disclosed that the government intends to introduce tolling on the completed road.
According to Umahi, the purpose of tolling would be to generate funds for road maintenance and help ensure that the infrastructure remains in good condition after completion.
He also said security patrols would be provided along the route.
The issue of road maintenance has remained important in Nigeria because several major highways have deteriorated after initial rehabilitation.
A sustainable maintenance strategy could therefore become as important as the initial construction itself.
For motorists and businesses, a well-maintained Enugu-Onitsha Expressway could improve travel conditions and support the movement of people and goods throughout the region.
Cross River-Abuja Legacy Highway Receives Attention
During his inspection tour, Umahi also spoke about the Cross River-Abuja Legacy Highway.
The project is designed to improve transportation links between several states and Abuja, Nigeria's Federal Capital Territory.
Umahi disclosed that Section One of the project covers approximately 125 kilometres and was nearing completion.
He also said that more than 30 per cent of the alignment passes through communities in Ebonyi State.
The development is particularly significant for Ebonyi and surrounding communities because improved road infrastructure could strengthen connections between rural areas, urban centres and major commercial routes.
The minister said the federal government was monitoring the progress of the project and working with contractors to ensure delivery.
Section Two Covers About 168 Kilometres
Umahi also provided an update on Section Two of the Cross River-Abuja project.
According to the minister, the section spans approximately 168 kilometres through Ebonyi, Benue, Enugu and Kogi states before terminating toward Abuja.
He said the project had been mobilised following the payment of 30 per cent mobilisation to the contractor.
Mobilisation payments are generally intended to enable contractors to begin or accelerate construction activities, including the deployment of equipment, materials and personnel.
The minister's disclosure suggests that the government wants work on the project to continue as part of its broader road infrastructure programme.
If completed successfully, the highway could provide improved connectivity across several states and potentially support commerce and transportation.
For communities along the route, the economic impact could extend beyond the road itself.
Umahi Directs Contractors to Employ Local Workers
Another important issue raised by Umahi was local employment.
The minister said contractors working on the projects had been directed to employ more people from host communities.
The directive is aimed at ensuring that communities where federal infrastructure projects are located benefit economically from the construction activities.
Large infrastructure projects can generate employment opportunities for artisans, drivers, labourers, suppliers, security personnel and other service providers.
They can also stimulate local businesses by increasing demand for accommodation, food, transportation and construction-related services.
Umahi's position is that the benefits of government infrastructure spending should therefore extend beyond the physical completion of roads.
For host communities, the success of such a policy will depend on how effectively contractors implement the directive and whether local residents receive meaningful employment opportunities.
Tinubu's Second Term and Infrastructure Continuity
Umahi's argument for Tinubu's re-election is strongly linked to continuity.
The minister said Nigerians should consider the risk of allowing unfinished projects to face uncertainty whenever there is a change in administration.
According to him, a new government could potentially begin by reviewing ongoing projects or negotiating the continuation of abandoned projects.
Nigeria has experienced several instances where infrastructure projects have remained unfinished for years, sometimes due to funding difficulties, contractual issues or changes in government priorities.
Umahi believes the current administration's projects should be completed rather than exposed to such uncertainty.
His argument is therefore that a second Tinubu administration would provide continuity for ongoing federal road projects.
Whether voters agree with that argument will be determined by their assessment of the administration's overall record.
Umahi's Message to South-East Voters
The political significance of Umahi's statement lies in his direct appeal to the South-East.
Peter Obi remains an influential political figure in the region, particularly among voters who supported his presidential campaign in the previous election.
Umahi's decision to openly campaign against Obi therefore represents a significant political message.
The minister is effectively asking voters to judge Tinubu's administration through the infrastructure projects being executed across the region.
He believes that these projects demonstrate a change in the government's approach to infrastructure development in the South-East.
However, political support cannot be determined solely by infrastructure.
Voters may also consider the economy, cost of living, employment, security, education, healthcare, political representation and the personal records of presidential candidates.
The 2027 election is expected to generate intense debate over all these issues.
2027 Election Debate Likely to Intensify
As Nigeria moves toward the 2027 general election, political figures are increasingly making their positions known.
The contest is expected to feature debates over the performance of the Tinubu administration and the alternatives being offered by opposition politicians.
Infrastructure will likely remain one of the key areas of discussion.
Supporters of the administration can point to road construction and rehabilitation projects as evidence of government activity.
Opposition politicians, meanwhile, are likely to scrutinise project costs, completion timelines, quality, economic impact and the government's wider performance.
This competition of ideas is an important part of the democratic process.
For citizens, the most important responsibility will be to examine claims carefully and compare the policies and records of all candidates before voting.
Why Road Infrastructure Matters to the South-East
Road infrastructure has a direct impact on everyday economic activity.
The South-East is home to major commercial centres and a large network of businesses involved in manufacturing, trade, agriculture, transportation and services.
Poor roads can increase vehicle maintenance expenses, raise transportation costs and make the movement of goods more difficult.
Better roads can potentially reduce travel time, improve logistics and increase connections between markets.
This is why major projects such as the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway and Cross River-Abuja corridor attract significant public attention.
However, road construction alone does not guarantee long-term benefits.
Proper maintenance, security, effective traffic management and responsible use of public funds are also essential.
The proposed tolling arrangement mentioned by Umahi therefore raises another important question: whether the revenue generated will be sufficient and transparently managed to keep completed roads in good condition.
Umahi's Political Position Will Generate Debate
Umahi's statement is certain to generate political reactions, particularly among supporters of Peter Obi and President Tinubu.
Supporters of the minister's position may argue that voters should reward governments for completing long-standing infrastructure projects.
Those who disagree may contend that infrastructure is only one part of government performance and that citizens should consider the full picture before making electoral decisions.
Both perspectives are likely to feature prominently as political campaigns intensify.
The most important point is that Umahi's statement represents his political position and should be evaluated alongside the arguments presented by other political actors.
Nigerians will ultimately have the opportunity to make their own decisions at the ballot box.
David Umahi has intensified the political conversation ahead of Nigeria's 2027 presidential election by openly urging South-East voters to support President Bola Tinubu instead of Peter Obi.
The Minister of Works insists that he is not personally attacking Obi but is simply asking Nigerians to support the President based on what he considers the achievements of the current administration.
At the centre of his argument is infrastructure.
Umahi has highlighted projects including the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway and the Cross River-Abuja Legacy Highway while insisting that ongoing federal projects should be completed without interruption.
He has also called for greater employment of local workers on construction projects so that host communities can benefit economically from federal spending.
Whether infrastructure will be enough to influence voters in 2027 remains to be seen.
Nigerians will have to consider a much broader range of issues before choosing their preferred presidential candidate.
For the South-East in particular, the debate over Tinubu and Obi is expected to remain politically significant as the 2027 election approaches.
Ultimately, voters—not political office holders—will determine which candidate earns their support.
What is your opinion on David Umahi's call for South-East voters to support President Bola Tinubu over Peter Obi? Should infrastructure development influence your presidential vote in 2027?
Share your opinion in the comments, send this article to someone interested in Nigerian politics, and follow MyInfoJet for more credible Nigerian political news, breaking stories, entertainment updates and sports coverage.
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