The Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, has said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has addressed the long-standing agitations of Ndigbo through inclusive governance and massive infrastructure development in the South-East, describing the administration’s approach as the realisation of the Biafra many had clamoured for.
Umahi, a former Governor of Ebonyi State, stated this in his New Year message, where he expressed optimism that Nigeria had passed through its most challenging phase as a nation, attributing the renewed hope to what he described as the Tinubu administration’s decisive economic and infrastructural reforms.
According to the minister, the new year would usher in far-reaching transformation across critical sectors of the economy, driven by policies already being implemented by the Federal Government.
He called on the people of the South-East to sustain their support for President Tinubu, whom he described as a source of reassurance for the region after years of perceived neglect and marginalisation. Umahi said the South-East would correct what he termed the mistakes of the 2023 general elections by rallying firmly behind the President in future polls.
“Our people will not repeat the mistake of 2023. We will stand solidly behind Mr President in the 2027 election,” he said. “Ndigbo will no longer be misled by politicians with sugar-coated promises.”
The minister maintained that President Tinubu had confronted what he described as the criminal marginalisation of the South-East by previous administrations, adding that leaders of the region would support him if he seeks re-election in 2027.
He further declared that any vote for Tinubu in 2027 would also amount to a vote of confidence in South-East governors and himself as Minister of Works.
“One of our brothers is already talking about being on the ballot in 2027, but I am telling Ndigbo that President Tinubu will be on the ballot. And once he is there, all the governors of the South-East and I, as Minister of Works, are also on the ballot,” Umahi said.
Umahi concluded by asserting that the aspirations behind the Biafra struggle had been fulfilled through national integration, inclusion and equal participation in governance, insisting that the South-East was now firmly positioned in Nigeria’s development agenda.
“President Tinubu has reopened our chapter and is investing massively in our future. In practical terms, the Biafra many fought for is already here,” he added.
