David Umahi, receiving the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris during a courtesy visit to him in Abakaliki on Saturday.
In the heart of Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, on a vibrant Saturday, August 16, 2025, the Minister of Works, David Umahi, welcomed a distinguished guest—Alhaji Mohammed Idris, the Minister of Information and National Orientation.
The courtesy visit, marked by warm exchanges and a shared commitment to Nigeria’s progress, became a platform for Umahi to deliver a passionate call to the South-East: unite behind President Bola Tinubu for a second term in 2027.
Umahi, a towering figure in South-East politics, spoke with conviction as he described Tinubu as a divinely appointed leader whose transformative policies have reshaped Nigeria, particularly the South-East.
“The President’s works are undeniable,” Umahi declared, gesturing toward the region’s revitalized infrastructure. “From roads to bridges, the South-East is witnessing development like never before.” He pointed to a flagship 123.6-kilometer road project, stretching from Ebonyi to Benue and beyond, valued at N456 billion, as a testament to Tinubu’s commitment to equitable progress.
The visit, part of Idris’s tour to inspect federal projects in Enugu and Ebonyi, provided Umahi an opportunity to reflect on Tinubu’s broader impact. He lauded the President’s economic reforms, which have slashed inflation to 21.8% and boosted Nigeria’s foreign reserves to over $40 billion.
“These are not just numbers,” Umahi said. “They are proof of a nation on the path to prosperity, recognized even by global voices like Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and the World Bank.”
Umahi’s message was not just about gratitude but strategy. He urged the South-East to rally behind Tinubu, emphasizing that all governors in the region are aligned in their support.
“We cannot achieve our aspirations through sentiment alone,” he cautioned. “We must engage with other regions, build bridges, and position ourselves for leadership when the time comes.”
With a light-hearted chuckle, he added, “Who knows? Perhaps that time will call my name.”
Reflecting on his own journey—from deputy governor to governor for eight years, and now a key figure in Tinubu’s administration—Umahi recalled the South-East’s historical neglect in federal projects.
“In my time as governor, we saw little of this federal presence,” he admitted. “But today, under Tinubu, we are writing a new chapter of progress and inclusion.”
Umahi’s words carried a blend of optimism and pragmatism.
He praised Tinubu’s philosophy of continuity, noting the President’s dedication to completing inherited projects as a cornerstone of Nigeria’s economic revolution. “A chain is only as strong as its weakest link,” Umahi quoted, underscoring Tinubu’s belief in uplifting every region for the nation’s collective strength.
NAN
