Minister of Works David Umahi has called on the South-East to adopt a “politically strategic” approach to secure the Nigerian presidency in the future. Speaking on Thursday during the opening of a completed section of the Enugu–Onitsha Expressway, Umahi argued that the region must move beyond “insults and social media attacks” to earn its place at the national leadership table.
The Minister asserted that supporting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term in 2027 is the most viable path for the South-East to eventually claim the “Emilokan” mandate in 2031.
Key Political Projections
- 80% Vote Target: Umahi expressed confidence that the South-East will deliver at least 80% of its votes to President Tinubu in the January 2027 general elections. He urged leaders to be “bold” in persuading the electorate to align with the center.
- Negotiation Strategy: “We can’t afford to give him anything less than 80 percent; do that and leave the rest to us. We’ll boldly go to the negotiation table,” Umahi stated, suggesting that overwhelming support would serve as a powerful bargaining chip for the 2031 rotation.
- The End of Marginalization: The Minister contended that claims of Igbo marginalization have effectively ended under the current administration, citing his own appointment as the first South-Easterner to lead the Ministry of Works and the inclusion of regional representatives in the Service Chiefs.
Infrastructure Milestone: Enugu–Onitsha Expressway
The Minister’s remarks coincided with the official opening of the first 15-kilometre section of the reconstructed Enugu–Abakpa–9th Mile–Onitsha highway.
- Concrete Technology: The road features a reinforced concrete pavement designed to last between 50 and 100 years. This marks a shift from traditional asphalt, which Umahi noted frequently fails under the region’s heavy traffic and weather conditions.
- Easter Traffic Relief: The 15km stretch was opened specifically to ease the perennial traffic congestion for travelers returning to the South-East for the Easter celebrations.
- Project Value: The total reconstruction cost for the highway is now valued at over ₦350 billion, with the first phase expected to be fully completed by August 2026.
“This is the Biafra We Are Looking For”
In a notable piece of rhetoric, Umahi described the massive federal infrastructure investments—including the Second Niger Bridge bypasses, the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway (which will link the South-East to the ocean), and the Enugu–Abakaliki dualization—as the true fulfillment of the region’s developmental needs.
“To know the revolution that is going on in infrastructure… this is the Biafra we are looking for,” he told stakeholders, emphasizing that economic integration and high-quality roads are more beneficial than political agitation.
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