Umahi Defends Tinubu’s Infrastructure Projects, Says No ‘Rainbow Coalition’ in Ebonyi
The Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, has directed contractors handling the Calabar-Abuja Superhighway not to demolish or touch any building along the current project alignment pending a review of the route by the Federal Government.
Umahi gave the directive on September 23, 2026, during an inspection of Phase Two of the Calabar-Abuja Superhighway at Ado in Benue State, where he also reviewed the progress of construction and directed the contractors to intensify work on the project.
The minister said Section Two of the project covers 173 kilometres and is valued at ₦683 billion, while Section One is valued at ₦454 billion.
According to him, the contractor handling Section Two had opened the first element of the initial eight-kilometre stretch, while efforts were ongoing to resolve the engineering challenge around the Ado Bridge.
Umahi directed the contractor to open another section from the Ado River while the engineering team works on the best solution for crossing the bridge.
He also ordered that at least three sections of the first element of Section Two be opened simultaneously to accelerate construction.
“I do not believe in engineering that anything is impossible,” the minister said, adding that he would personally engage the project manager on the technical and practical steps required to move the project forward.
Umahi commended the contractor for the progress recorded since his previous inspection.
“From the last time we were here until now, he has done very well, and I’m very proud of what he’s doing,” he said.
On buildings located along the current alignment, the minister issued a specific directive that none should be demolished pending the Federal Government’s review.
“My directive is that no building should be touched. Even if it’s within the alignment, I have to come and realign it. So you just have to continue your work and go around those buildings until we come to look at it,” Umahi said.
He also directed that sharp curves along the highway should be strengthened where necessary, stressing that engineering decisions sometimes require adjustments based on realities encountered during construction.
The minister explained that the project was being executed under an EPC Plus Finance arrangement, under which variations were not provided for, making careful management of quantities and resources necessary to avoid additional costs to the Federal Government.
He disclosed that additional works were also being undertaken under Section One, including the dualisation of the road at Onueke, which he said was outside the initial scope, as well as the dualisation at Chainage 0 around Ndibe Beach.
Umahi Defends Tinubu’s Infrastructure Programme
Speaking further during the inspection, Umahi defended the Federal Government’s infrastructure programme under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, particularly projects in the Southeast.
He dismissed claims circulating on social media that he had concentrated Federal Government projects in the Southeast.
“I saw on social media where they say I cornered all projects to Southeast. That is very wonderful. But we have the publication of all projects ongoing by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, so they darken counsel without knowledge,” he said.
Umahi stressed that the infrastructure programme was not his personal initiative but part of the Federal Government’s broader development agenda.
“I’m not on my own. The President is my boss. So where will he be when I corner all projects to Southeast?” he asked.
According to the minister, the Southeast is receiving infrastructure projects as part of the Federal Government’s national development programme and would not be left behind in the distribution of infrastructure investments.
‘There Is No Rainbow Coalition in Ebonyi’
The minister also dismissed speculation about a political “rainbow coalition” in Ebonyi State involving him and former Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike.
Responding to a question on his relationship with Wike and alleged political realignment in Ebonyi, Umahi said:
“If Wike has candidates here, he has not told me. And his candidate cannot break our relationship, but his candidate is not part of our relationship.”
He reaffirmed his alignment with the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ebonyi State and reiterated his criticism of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), saying the party failed to adequately recognise the interests of the Southeast when he was a member.
“We supported PDP. We voted for presidents in PDP. And when it was our time for them to honour us, they did not honour us. They maltreated us,” he said.
Umahi, however, said political opponents were free to campaign in Ebonyi State provided they did so peacefully.
“Anybody that wants to campaign, come and campaign. But don’t dish out hate speeches and you want to take those speeches, and you want that we should lay a red carpet for you. We will not do that,” he said.
The minister also declared that nobody would be allowed to foment crisis in the state.
“Nobody can foment crisis in Ebonyi State,” he said.
Umahi Defends Infrastructure Investment
Umahi said Nigerians should assess the Tinubu administration through projects being executed rather than promises about what may be done in the future.
“We tell our story. It’s not a question of saying, ‘I will do this, I’ll do this.’ What about the one that the person is doing? Let us compare the past with the present,” he said.
He cited the Ebonyi State ring road, which he said was constructed during his tenure as governor with a $150 million loan for 199 kilometres, arguing that the cost of delivering a similar project today would be significantly higher.
The minister also responded to arguments concerning savings and infrastructure investment, saying, “You can’t save food where the people are hungry,” while arguing that infrastructure creates assets capable of supporting economic activity and connectivity.
He disclosed that four legacy infrastructure projects of the Tinubu administration were being financed through a combination of Federal Government funding and foreign financing, with 30 per cent funded in naira by the Federal Government and 70 per cent through foreign financing.
Umahi rejected claims that the administration had abandoned existing roads in favour of new projects, explaining that several of the legacy projects involved the expansion and reconstruction of existing road corridors.
Umahi Reaffirms Support for Tinubu
The minister said his support for President Tinubu ahead of the 2027 presidential election was based on his belief in the President’s vision and reforms.
“What gave rise is because I believe in President Bola Tinubu. I believe that he’s the one called of God. I believe in his vision. I believe in his reforms. I believe he’s the best person that I have worked with and for, and I’m very proud of working for him and working with him,” Umahi said.
He also argued that continuity was important for major infrastructure projects that require several years to complete.
“If, God forbid, another person says he’s President, all these projects will be stalled. And I don’t think Ebonyi wants their projects to be stalled,” he said.
Minister Speaks on Peter Obi, Son’s Nomination
Umahi also addressed his criticism of former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi, saying his concerns were based on policy, political messaging and what he described as the use of ethnic and tribal sentiments in political discourse.
He recalled his working relationship with Obi during their years as governors and said they participated in meetings of the Southeast Governors’ Forum.
The minister said political promises should be assessed against previous records and measurable achievements.
“If the past outing you cannot have something to verify, then you cannot be assured of the promises of the second time,” he said.
On his son’s nomination by Ebonyi State Governor Francis Nwifuru as Chairman of Ohaozara Local Government Area, Umahi clarified that the nomination was made by the governor and not by him.
He said he had advised his son to uphold transparency, honesty and prudent management of public resources.
According to Umahi, his son had also promised not to collect salary or allowances and had been instructed to ensure equitable development across all 11 wards of Ohaozara Local Government Area.
“I’ve advised him, don’t do anything for the people of Uburu because you are from Uburu. It has to be equitably distributed among the eleven council wards in Ohaozara Local Government,” he said.
Umahi said the governor’s decision to nominate his son was personally significant to him, which he attributed to the governor’s appreciation of their relationship and the contributions of the previous administration
