Minister of Works, David Umahi, has urged the South-East region to remain patient in its quest to produce Nigeria’s president, insisting that the zone must wait for its rightful turn.
Umahi made this known during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Abuja. He stressed the importance of political fairness, balance, and continuity, noting that President Bola Tinubu should be allowed to complete his two terms before any consideration for power rotation.
According to him, “It is not yet the turn of the South-East. Before the 2023 elections, we—the 17 Southern governors—met in Asaba and agreed that the next president should come from the South, regardless of political party. The mandate eventually went to President Bola Tinubu, who is from the South. Therefore, it would be unfair for the South-East to claim it is their turn now.”
Umahi maintained that Tinubu’s presidency represents the entire South, and it is only after the completion of his eight-year tenure in 2031 that the South-East can legitimately contest for the position.
“When equity and fairness are established, rotation of power will be something we all celebrate. For now, it is not our time. When it comes, the South-East has many qualified sons and daughters who can lead this country,” he added.
Acknowledging the region’s past marginalisation, Umahi admitted that it was a major reason some South-East governors struggled to deliver votes for the All Progressives Congress (APC) during the 2023 elections, where the party recorded just 5.85% of total votes in the zone.
Despite this, Umahi commended President Tinubu for treating all regions fairly. “The president does not discriminate based on where you come from. He is addressing everyone’s needs equally,” he said.
The minister also highlighted the significant infrastructural projects currently ongoing in the South-East under Tinubu’s administration. He cited over ₦350 billion worth of road projects from Enugu to Onitsha, as well as the ₦174 billion second access route in Anambra State.
Other major projects he listed include:
Port Harcourt–Aba Road (86 km)
Aba–Umuahia Road (56 km by two)
Umuahia–Lokpanta Road (6 km)
Lokpanta–Enugu Road (61 km by two) — all valued at over ₦100 billion
Enugu Dualisation to Abakaliki (₦183 billion)
Trans-Sahara Road from Ebonyi to Benue boundary (₦456 billion)
He also mentioned projects being executed through the Dangote Tax Credit Scheme, such as the ₦193 billion Afigbo–Uturu–Okigwe Road, which cuts across Ebonyi, Abia, and Imo States, as well as bridge connections between Cross River and Ebonyi.
Umahi further noted several flyover and bridge projects in Enugu, including the Abakpa Flyover, Obinago Flyover, and the repair of two bridges destroyed during the 2023 flood, all awarded by the current administration.
“We have no reason not to be grateful to President Tinubu,” he said. “If you look at the scale of projects ongoing in our region and across the country, my appointment as Minister of Works is not just a political favour—it’s an opportunity to deliver tangible development.”
While acknowledging that the South-East has capable leaders, Umahi advised that the region should remain strategically patient and recognise the political realities of the moment.
“Yes, we must remember our history of exclusion, but we must also appreciate the progress being made today. President Tinubu has done a lot for the South-East within two years, and we should applaud him,” Umahi said.
