By Daniel Tyokua
The Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, has declared that the people of Ebonyi State will not make the mistake of abandoning President Bola Tinubu for any other presidential candidate in 2027.
He said the people of the state have no alternative but to support Tinubu’s re-election to ensure the continuation of ongoing development projects across Ebonyi State and the South-East region.
Umahi gave the assurance during an endorsement event held in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital, on Monday.
A statement issued on Tuesday by the Minister’s Special Adviser on Media, Francis Nwaze, said the state would never turn its back on a leader who has transformed its fortunes.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has done a lot, not just for Ebonyi State, but for the entire South-East. As he is doing for other geopolitical zones, he is also doing for us.
“We are not going to make another mistake. The past belongs to the accident of history,” Umahi declared.
The minister highlighted several landmark federal infrastructure projects being executed under the Tinubu administration, describing them as evidence of the President’s commitment to the development of the region.
According to him, one of the signature projects in Ebonyi State alone is valued at about N445 billion.
The statement quoted him as saying: “One single project, which is only 123 kilometres in Ebonyi State, is worth N445 billion.
“That project runs from Ndibe Beach down to Nbeke Ishieke, at the boundary with Benue State. It is the Trans-Sahara Project and one of the President’s top legacy projects.”
Umahi also pointed to the dualisation of the Enugu-Abakaliki Road and the Afikpo-Uturu-Okigwe Road as major interventions that would significantly boost economic activities and regional connectivity.
“Shall we talk about the dualisation of the Enugu-Abakaliki Road, 118 kilometres at a cost of N183 billion? Shall we talk about the dualisation of the Afikpo-Uturu-Okigwe Road, 64 kilometres at a cost of N193 billion?” he said.
The minister further referenced strategic bridge projects linking communities and states, stressing that the South-East now enjoys a level of federal attention previously absent.
“Is it to talk about the bridge at Ofeeke Crossing linking us to our brothers in Cross River? Is it to talk about the famous Itu Bridge? Tell me, I am grateful,” he added.
Umahi reflected on his years as Deputy Governor and Governor of Ebonyi State, contrasting them with what he described as the current era of federal inclusion for the state’s people.
“This is just a demonstration. We will never, never, never abandon our own. We will never abandon the man who has lifted the state.
“I was deputy governor and I was governor. There was no single federal appointment for our people then. But now, you can see the appointments coming to Ebonyi State.
“You can see the projects of the governor and the projects of President Tinubu. We are very grateful.”
Governor Francis Nwifuru said the endorsement of President Tinubu was a unanimous decision reached by the people of Ebonyi State after assessing the President’s performance, particularly his commitment to infrastructure development, economic reforms, and inclusive governance.
He maintained that the South-East has benefited immensely from the Renewed Hope Agenda and that the state was duty-bound to support a leader who has demonstrated goodwill towards the region.
The governor also received a resounding endorsement for a second term in office, with stakeholders citing ongoing infrastructure development, empowerment programmes, education initiatives, and governance reforms as reasons for their support.
Throwing his weight behind the decision, Umahi formally endorsed both President Tinubu and Governor Nwifuru for another term in office.
“And so, I support the governor and the entire people of Ebonyi State in endorsing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as our sole presidential candidate for 2027 and endorsing Rt. Hon. Francis Nwifuru as the sole governorship candidate in Ebonyi State. Thank you very much,” he said.
The event attracted an impressive array of dignitaries, including Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State, Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State, members of the National Assembly, former ministers, party leaders, and other prominent figures from within and outside the South-East.
