Umahi calls on Peter Obi to join southeast leaders in endorsing Tinubu for 2027
Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, has said that all southeast governors are now working with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, saying that a regional political summit is being planned to formally adopt the president as the region’s preferred candidate for the 2027 general election.
Speaking in a special feature interview for an upcoming State House documentary commemorating President Tinubu’s second year in office, Umahi stated that the region’s political leadership, across party lines, is rallying behind the administration in recognition of its commitment to equity, development, and national unity.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Umahi noted that the Southeast is currently experiencing an unprecedented level of federal engagement, especially in infrastructure delivery, under Tinubu’s leadership.
He cited several ongoing federal road projects traversing the region, including the Port Harcourt–Enugu, Enugu–Abakaliki, Enugu–Onitsha, and Onitsha–Owerri highways, in addition to the Second Niger Bridge.
“For the first time, the Southeast has a Minister of Works. That’s not symbolic—it is strategic. What we are seeing are real, measurable projects on the ground,” Umahi noted, adding that President Tinubu had already paid 30 percent of the cost of the Second Niger Bridge.
Reflecting on the long-standing complaints of marginalisation in the region, Umahi said the narrative is changing fast under the current administration.
“When I was governor and even deputy governor in Ebonyi State, one of our greatest worries was the absence of federal presence. Today, under President Tinubu, we have at least four federal projects actively ongoing in the state”, he said.
He stated that the President’s approach to governance has restored hope and is redefining how national integration is perceived in the region.
“The Igbo man is naturally enterprising. What we want is fairness and equal opportunity—and that is what Mr. President is delivering.”
According to Umahi, the planned summit of political leaders from the region will further strengthen unity, accelerate project delivery, and enhance national cohesion.
“All Southeast governors, irrespective of political affiliation, are united in support of President Tinubu. The forthcoming summit will make that support official”, he said.
In a direct appeal to key opposition figures from the region, Umahi called on former Anambra State governor and Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, to join the collective effort to back the President’s re-election.
“Leadership is not about self—it’s about the people. If someone else is already doing what you would have done for your people, support him,” Umahi said, adding that Obi’s presence at the summit would be significant for the region’s unity and progress.
“I call on my brother, His Excellency Peter Obi, to join us and work with Mr. President. He must be part of this summit where we will collectively endorse President Tinubu for the 2027 election. I say it boldly: the South East is happy with the President”, he said.
In addition to the political declarations, Umahi offered updates on key national infrastructure projects, highlighting their transformative potential and the administration’s economic vision.
He said the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway is advancing steadily, with over 80 percent of Section 1—stretching from Ahmadu Bello Way to the Lekki Deep Sea Port and ending at Eleko Junction—already completed. Section 2, from Eleko Junction to the Lagos-Ogun border, is also in progress.
According to Umahi, users of Section 1 of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway will begin paying tolls from December.
“This road is not just a road, it’s a corridor of growth. It has solar-powered lights, CCTV infrastructure, and even carbon credit potential. It is designed as a six-lane concrete-paved highway”, Umahi said.
He further revealed that Sections 3 and 3B, totalling 65 kilometres and covering areas in Cross River and Akwa Ibom States, have been flagged off, with host communities expressing strong support and optimism over the project’s long-term benefits.
Turning to the Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway, Umahi noted its historical roots dating back to the Shehu Shagari administration.
“This project is breathing life into an old vision that was left dormant for over 40 years. It is part of the President’s broader effort to unlock Nigeria’s economic and trade corridors”, he said.
He also referenced the Trans-Saharan Trade Route and the soon-to-be-launched Ogun-Ondo-Niger Corridor, describing all four projects as key pillars of Nigeria’s long-term economic integration agenda.
“These are legacy projects, economically viable, environmentally sustainable, and future-driven. The President is turning visions into tangible infrastructure,” Umahi said.
He praised President Tinubu’s foresight, stating that the idea of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway was conceived by the President nearly seven years ago.
“Now, he is bringing that vision to life. It speaks volumes about his consistency, leadership, and unwavering commitment to Nigeria’s growth”, he said.
