Umahi says Tinubu has changed development narrative in Southeast as bishops visit

Politics

ABUJA, Nigeria (NPA) — Minister of Works David Umahi has urged people of the Southeast to recognise the infrastructure investments of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, saying they have changed the development narrative in the region.

Umahi spoke on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, when bishops and archbishops of the Methodist Church from the Southeast paid him a courtesy visit at the Federal Ministry of Works headquarters.

According to a statement signed by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Francis Nwaze, the minister acknowledged past marginalisation of the Southeast but said it should not prevent residents from appreciating ongoing federal projects.

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“Yes, I agree that in the past there was so much marginalisation of the Igbo everywhere, not just the Southeast, but President Bola Tinubu has changed the narrative,” Umahi said.

He urged the people of the region to demand more development while appreciating projects already underway.

“We can be looking for more. I agree. We can demand more so that we can meet up with the past marginalisation, but it shouldn’t make us not be appreciative,” he said.

Umahi said the Southeast had not supported Tinubu at the 2023 presidential election as much as it should have, but argued that the administration’s infrastructure projects demonstrated its commitment to the region.

“We didn’t vote for the President as we should, and he’s doing all these things for us,” he said.

He appealed to residents to support the administration and ensure the completion of ongoing projects.

The minister listed the Enugu-Port Harcourt Road, Enugu-Onitsha corridor, Enugu-Abakaliki Road, Eke-Obinagu Flyover and Second Niger Bridge among major projects in the region.

He said the Enugu-Port Harcourt Road was undergoing reconstruction after years of poor travel conditions, while the First Niger Bridge had undergone rehabilitation and was expected to be commissioned with solar lighting and CCTV surveillance.

Umahi also highlighted the highway corridor linking Calabar through Ebonyi, Benue, Enugu and Kogi to Abuja, saying the first two sections covering about 330 kilometres had been awarded and paid for by the Federal Government.

He said the project would reduce travel time to Abuja, with travellers from the Nsukka axis expected to make the journey in about three hours and those from Ebonyi in about four hours.

The minister said political sentiments should not prevent Nigerians from recognising infrastructure development.

“Sentiments must be laid aside. We have to count our blessings,” he said.

Umahi also said his support for Tinubu was not based on personal animosity towards Peter Obi, whom he described as a close friend.

“I am not against Peter Obi. He is my very close friend,” he said.

He argued that borrowing for infrastructure constituted investment when the funds were deployed productively to create jobs, improve security, reduce travel time and expand economic activity.

“We are borrowing to put in infrastructure, and this infrastructure, it is an investment,” he said.

The minister said the Federal Government’s long-term objective was to develop economic corridors around major roads and urged church leaders to help educate Nigerians about ongoing projects and their potential benefits.

Meanwhile, the Methodist delegation, led by the Methodist Church Archbishop of Anambra State, Most Rev. Dr Vincent C. E. Onoh, commended Tinubu and Umahi for infrastructure development in the Southeast and across Nigeria.

Onoh specifically praised the progress on the Niger Bridge, saying the project was 90 per cent complete.

He said the delegation had come to appreciate Umahi for his contribution to infrastructure development and announced plans for a prayer and sensitisation programme across Awka, Enugu, Ebonyi and Imo states.

“We have just come as a church to say thank you for what you have done, thank you for what you are doing, and let’s thank you for what we are yet to do,” Onoh said.