Minister of Works Sen. Dave Umahi has declared that all governors in Nigeria’s South-East geopolitical zone are backing President Bola Tinubu’s administration, while calling on undecided regional leaders like former Anambra governor Peter Obi to join the movement.
The minister made these remarks during an interview for a State House documentary commemorating Tinubu’s second anniversary, according to a statement by presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga on Tuesday.
Umahi revealed that South-East governors across party lines are collaborating with the federal government, with plans underway for a regional summit to formally endorse Tinubu for the 2027 elections.
“The Igbo man is enterprising and blessed with God-given wisdom. What Ndi Igbo seeks is fairness, Nigeria that treats every zone equally. That is what President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is doing,” Umahi stated.
Highlighting improved federal presence in the region, the former Ebonyi governor noted: “Before, when I was governor and deputy governor, one of our major concerns in Ebonyi 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.”
The minister listed transformative infrastructure projects including the Port Harcourt-Enugu, Enugu-Abakaliki, Enugu-Onitsha, and Onitsha-Owerri highways, plus the Second Niger Bridge where “the President has already paid 30 per cent of the cost.”
“All the governors in the South East, regardless of party affiliation, are working with the President. We’re even planning a summit to bring together all South-East leaders to endorse the President for the 2027 elections formally,” Umahi disclosed.
He directly addressed opposition figures: “Leadership is not about self – it’s about the people. If someone else is already doing what you would have done for your people, support him. I call on my brother, His Excellency Peter Obi, to join us and work with Mr President.”
On infrastructure milestones, Umahi reported 80% completion of Section 1 (47.47km) of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, with tolling to commence in December. The six-lane concrete highway features solar lighting and CCTV surveillance.
“By December, we will toll Section 1 of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway. We project a 10-year return on investment,” he said, adding that Section 2 (55km) and newly flagged Sections 3/3B (65km total) in Cross River and Akwa Ibom are progressing.
The minister also highlighted three other legacy projects: the Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway (conceived under Shagari), Trans-Saharan Trade Route (colonial-era plan), and forthcoming Ogun-Ondo-Niger Corridor – all designed to boost economic integration.
“President Tinubu is now bringing these long-abandoned visions to life,” Umahi stated, crediting the president with the coastal highway vision seven years before its implementation. “These projects testify to his unwavering commitment to national development.”