The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has called on the people of the South-East to give President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at least 80 percent of their votes in the 2027 presidential election.
Umahi made the statement on Thursday during the inauguration of a completed section of the Enugu–Onitsha Expressway, a major federal road linking key commercial cities in the region.
Speaking with journalists at the event, the minister said the South-East must adopt a strategic political approach if it hopes to benefit more from federal projects and national politics.
Umahi, a former governor of Ebonyi State, stressed that the region must unite and support the current administration in the next general election.
According to him, delivering a large percentage of votes for President Tinubu would strengthen the South-East’s position in national discussions and negotiations.
“In 2027, the people of South-East must be very strategic,” he said. “We should not aim to give the president anything less than 80 percent of our votes.”
He warned against division among voters in the region, noting that political unity would give the South-East a stronger voice at the national level.
The minister also urged leaders in the zone to actively inform their communities about ongoing federal projects, insisting that awareness is key to shaping public opinion.
Umahi used the Enugu–Onitsha Expressway project as an example of what the current administration is doing in the region.
He explained that the road project had faced delays before the present government took over in 2023. According to him, the intervention of President Tinubu helped revive the project.
The road was initially awarded under a tax credit arrangement involving MTN Nigeria and executed by Reynolds Construction Company (RCC).
Umahi said the project had stalled for years without meaningful progress, but was reviewed and adjusted to allow work to continue.
He added that a significant portion of the road has now been completed using reinforced concrete pavement, which is expected to last longer than traditional asphalt.
“The first 50 kilometres is almost completed, but the president directed that part of the road be opened to ease movement during the Easter period,” he said.
The expressway is a major route for trade and travel, connecting Enugu and Onitsha, two important economic hubs in the South-East.
The minister noted that the federal government is currently working on several road projects across the South-East as part of efforts to improve connectivity and economic growth.
He said better roads would help link the region more effectively with other parts of Nigeria, boosting trade and reducing travel time.
According to him, these projects show the commitment of the Tinubu administration to the development of the region.
Umahi argued that such efforts should be recognised and rewarded with political support.
Umahi also addressed long-standing concerns about the marginalisation of the South-East in Nigeria’s political and economic structure.
For many years, leaders and groups from the region have complained about lack of adequate representation in federal appointments and infrastructure development.
However, the minister said the situation is changing under the current administration.
“The marginalisation we are talking about is over,” he said. “For the first time, your son is Minister of Works.”
He pointed to federal appointments and ongoing projects as signs that the South-East is receiving more attention from the centre.
One of the most striking parts of Umahi’s statement was his comment linking President Tinubu to the aspirations of some people in the South-East.
“When I say the Biafra we are looking for is here, I mean President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” he said.
The reference to Biafra is likely to generate debate, given its historical and emotional significance in the region.
The Biafra movement dates back to the Nigerian Civil War between 1967 and 1970, when the South-East attempted to secede from Nigeria.
Even today, calls for Biafra remain a sensitive issue, with some groups continuing to demand greater autonomy or independence.
Umahi’s remark may therefore be seen by some as symbolic, while others may view it as controversial.
Supporters of the government may see his call as a practical approach to securing more development for the region.
However, critics may argue that voting decisions should not be based solely on promises of projects or political strategy.
Some may also question whether the region can deliver the level of support Umahi is proposing, given its diverse political landscape.
As Nigeria gradually moves toward the next general election cycle, political leaders have begun positioning themselves and their regions.
Umahi’s statement is one of the early signals of how political alliances may shape up ahead of 2027.
His highlights on unity and strategy reflects a broader conversation about how different regions can increase their influence in national politics.
For the South-East, the challenge will be balancing internal differences while deciding on a common political direction.