South-East Must Exercise Patience in Quest for Presidency, says Minister of Works

Strategic Insights -

Minister of Works David Umahi has emphasized the need for the South-East zone to exercise patience in its quest for Nigeria's presidency, arguing that it is not yet its turn to produce the country's next leader. Umahi made this declaration in an interview with newsmen in Abuja, referencing the good works of President Bola Tinubu, who he believes should complete his eight-year term before another president from the South-East can vie for the position. The minister acknowledged that the South-East had suffered marginalization in the past, which affected the zone's performance in the 2023 general elections, but highlighted the positive developments under the current administration, including the construction of various infrastructure projects worth over N1 trillion across the zone.

Key Takeaways:

  • Minister of Works David Umahi has urged the South-East zone to exercise patience in its quest for Nigeria's presidency, stating that it is not yet its turn to produce the country's next leader.
  • The minister emphasized the need for political fairness and continuity in 2027, referencing the good works of President Bola Tinubu, who has eight years to complete before another president from the South-East can vie for the position.
  • Umahi acknowledged the South-East's past marginalization, which affected the zone's performance in the 2023 general elections, but highlighted the positive developments under the current administration, including the construction of various infrastructure projects.
  • The minister noted that the South-East had received "one or two or three or four or five" appointments under the current administration, which led to significant infrastructure development, including projects worth over N350 billion in the zone.
  • Umahi highlighted other ongoing infrastructure projects in the zone, including the Port Harcourt-Aba road, Aba-Umuahia road, Umuahia-Lokpanta road, Lokpanta-Enugu road, Enugu dualisation to Abakaliki, and the Trans-Sahara road from Ebonyi to the Benue boundary.
  • The minister emphasized the importance of fairness and equity in the distribution of power in Nigeria, stating that the South-East should acknowledge the past but emphasize the realities of the current situation.

Statistics:

  • The South-East zone received 5.85% of the total votes for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2023 general elections.
  • The current administration is investing over N1 trillion in various infrastructure projects across the South-East zone.
  • The projects include the Port Harcourt-Aba road, Aba-Umuahia road, Umuahia-Lokpanta road, Lokpanta-Enugu road, Enugu dualisation to Abakaliki, and the Trans-Sahara road from Ebonyi to the Benue boundary, with a total value of over N100 billion.
  • The Abakpa and Obinago flyovers in Enugu, as well as two bridges that failed during the 2023 flood, are also being handled by the Tinubu administration.

Sources:

  • An interview with Minister of Works David Umahi published in a Nigerian newspaper on Sunday.