Odimmegwa Johnpeter/Abuja
Minister of Works, David Umahi, has declared that Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), can not win the 2027 presidential election. He therefore urges South East leaders to support President Tinubu’s re-election by echoing the achievements of his government
Umahi made the statement on Tuesday in Abuja while receiving a report from the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) on its nationwide inspection of federal roads.
The minister urged political leaders in the South-East to educate residents about what he described as the achievements of President Bola Tinubu’s administration in the region.
According to Umahi, increased awareness among the people would reduce support for Obi.
“The more we educate our people, the less votes Peter Obi will get. Peter Obi cannot win in 2027.
“It is important for the leaders of the South-East to be bold, vocal, and speak to our people, the Igbos, about what President Tinubu has done and is doing for the Igbos.”
Umahi also backed Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo over his support for President Tinubu, saying individuals should be free to express their political preferences.
“I support the Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo, for his boldness in supporting the President. People should stop insulting supporters of the President; people should be allowed to support him,” he said.
The minister further maintained that the Federal Government had demonstrated its inclusion of the South-East through appointments and infrastructure projects.
“No other President has done what President Tinubu has done for the South-East, whether by appointment, inclusion, or projects,” Umahi said.
Speaking on infrastructure development, he stressed the importance of roads and bridges to economic growth.
On the financing of major projects, Umahi said the Federal Government would provide 30 per cent of the required funding, while the remaining amount would come through loans to be repaid from toll revenue.
He also expressed concern over vandalism and reckless driving along the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway.
According to him, some people had been removing materials used for road demarcation and manhole covers, while some motorists were driving at excessive speeds.
Earlier, NANS President, Akinteye Babatunde Afeez, said the association’s North-West road tour covered Kano, Jigawa, Kaduna and Sokoto states.
He said the students inspected several federal roads, including the Kano-Maiduguri, Kano-Katsina, Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano, Mando-Birnin Gwari, Sokoto-Badagry and Illela-Dukamaje roads.
According to Afeez, the roads connect more than 10 tertiary institutions.
He said NANS was impressed by the scale, quality and pace of work observed during the inspection but recommended the construction of a pedestrian bridge at the Federal Co-operative College, Kaduna, to improve students’ safety.
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