Minister of Works David Umahi has expressed confidence that President Bola Tinubu will receive significantly more votes from the South-East in the 2027 presidential election, citing federal appointments and infrastructure projects as reasons for the expected change. Umahi spoke during a national television programme on Sunday night while discussing the political situation in the region […]

Minister of Works David Umahi has expressed confidence that President Bola Tinubu will receive significantly more votes from the South-East in the 2027 presidential election, citing federal appointments and infrastructure projects as reasons for the expected change.

Umahi spoke during a national television programme on Sunday night while discussing the political situation in the region and the Federal Government’s relationship with the South-East.

The minister acknowledged that people in the region had genuine grievances over what he described as perceived marginalisation under previous administrations.

He, however, argued that Tinubu’s administration had changed the situation by giving the South-East greater representation in the Federal Government through appointments to key ministerial positions.

Umahi highlighted his appointment as Minister of Works, as well as the appointments of ministers overseeing Foreign Affairs and Science and Industry. He said the appointments had made people in the region happy.

The minister also pointed to ongoing infrastructure projects as another indication of the Federal Government’s efforts to connect the South-East more closely with other parts of Nigeria.

He cited the Abuja-Abakaliki-Enugu corridor and projects linking Ebonyi, Benue and Enugu, arguing that improved road connectivity would make travelling from the region to Abuja and other parts of the country easier.

According to Umahi, several projects in the region had already been completed or were approaching completion. Among those he mentioned were the Eke-Obinagu Flyover Bridge, a 23-span bridge, a 33-kilometre reinforced concrete road and the 61-kilometre Lokpanta–Enugu Road.

Asked if the projects would translate into increased support for the APC, Umahi declined to say whether the party would secure all the votes in the region but predicted a stronger performance for Tinubu.

“I will not tell you whether we win the five votes of the South-East or not, but the President is going to harvest a lot of votes in the South-East. It can never be the same like it was before,” he said.

On the number of states the APC could win in the region, Umahi said he believed the party could take all five South-East states.

“My faith is telling me we’ll win the five states,” he said.

Umahi also advised South-East voters and politicians against concentrating solely on regional politics, urging the region to build stronger political connections with other parts of Nigeria.

Speaking about Peter Obi, the Labour Party presidential candidate and former Anambra State governor, Umahi dismissed the suggestion that Obi represented a threat to Tinubu or the APC.

He argued that politicians seeking the presidency should allow Nigerians to assess their records in public office instead of relying principally on campaign promises.

The minister also played down the possibility of a major opposition coalition against Tinubu, saying the APC would respond if and when opposition parties successfully unite.

“Until they unite, then we tell you the stuff we are made of,” Umahi said, while referencing APC’s membership base and federal infrastructure projects.

He maintained that the administration’s development projects, political organisation and support for its leaders would play a role in the 2027 contest.