BY Onu Okorie

Minister of Works Engr David Umahi has stated that the Federal Government had demonstrated iinclusiveness to the South-East through appointments and infrastructure projects.
Umahi made the statement on Tuesday in Abuja while receiving a report from the National Association of Nigerian Students NANS following its nationwide inspection of federal roads.
“No other President has done what President Tinubu has done for the South-East, whether by appointment, inclusion or projects,” he said.
Roads, bridges key to economic growth
Speaking on infrastructure development, the minister stressed the importance of roads and bridges to economic growth.
He said the Federal Government would provide 30 per cent of the funding required for major projects, while the balance would be raised through loans to be repaid from toll revenue.
Umahi also raised concerns over vandalism and reckless driving along the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway.
According to him, some individuals had been removing road-demarcation materials and manhole covers, while some motorists were driving at excessive speeds.
He also declared that Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), cannot win the 2027 presidential election.
The minister called on political leaders in the South-East to intensify efforts to educate residents about what he described as the achievements of President Bola Tinubu’s administration in the region.
According to Umahi, greater awareness of the administration’s projects and policies would reduce support for Obi.
“The more we educate our people, the less votes Peter Obi will get. Peter Obi cannot win in 2027,” he said.
He urged South-East leaders to be “bold” and “vocal” in communicating with residents about what he described as the benefits of the Tinubu administration.
“It is important for the leaders of the South-East to be bold, vocal and speak to our people, the Igbos, about what President Tinubu has done and is doing for the Igbos,” Umahi said.
The minister also expressed support for Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo over his backing for President Tinubu, arguing that individuals should be free to express their political preferences.
“I support the Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo, for his boldness in supporting the President. People should stop insulting supporters of the President; people should be allowed to support him,” he said.
Earlier, NANS President Akinteye Babatunde Afeez said the association’s North-West road tour covered Kano, Jigawa, Kaduna and Sokoto states.
He said the students inspected several federal roads, including the Kano-Maiduguri, Kano-Katsina, Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano, Mando-Birnin Gwari, Sokoto-Badagry and Illela-Dukamaje roads.
According to Afeez, the roads connect more than 10 tertiary institutions.
He said NANS was impressed by the scale, quality and pace of work observed during the inspection but recommended the construction of a pedestrian bridge at the Federal Co-operative College, Kaduna, to improve the safety of students.