Minister of Works, Senator Dave Umahi, has expressed confidence that President Bola Tinubu will be re-elected in 2027. He stated that he has faith in God that the President will return for a second term. Umahi made this statement during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today. He cited Tinubu’s performance and the difficult economic situation he inherited as reasons for Nigerians to give him another mandate.
Umahi emphasized that power belongs to God and that God brought Tinubu to office. He noted that the President assumed office at a particularly challenging period and had been confronted with several obstacles. The minister dismissed suggestions that his assessment was based merely on the fact that Tinubu is his principal. Instead, he stated that the President was “doing very well” and that his economic reforms, though painful, were necessary to rescue the country.
Umahi acknowledged that the reforms had brought hardship to Nigerians, particularly vulnerable citizens. However, he argued that the measures were required to address the country’s economic problems. He stated that Nigerians should compare key economic indices at the time Tinubu assumed office with the current situation. According to Umahi, the President had taken difficult decisions in the interest of the country.
The minister also discussed the Federal Government’s road projects, stating that four major legacy road projects would be completed within the next three years. He listed the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, Sokoto-Badagry Road, Trans-Sahara/Trans-Harada corridor, and Akwanga-Jos Road among the major projects being pursued by the administration. These projects are part of an interconnected road network designed to drive economic activity across the country.
Umahi defended the administration’s record on inherited road projects, revealing that Tinubu inherited 2,068 projects valued at about N13 trillion when the administration assumed office in 2023. He stated that about 80 per cent of the projects currently being executed by his ministry were inherited from the previous administration. The President had directed him not to abandon inherited projects, as many were located on major economic corridors.
The minister addressed concerns about the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, which has attracted controversy over its cost, procurement, and financing. He rejected allegations of wrongdoing and stated that he was prepared to take responsibility for the procurement process. Umahi disclosed that the first section of the project, covering 47.47 kilometres, had been completed, while work on the second section was nearing completion.
Umahi maintained that the reforms and infrastructure projects were intended to lay the foundation for long-term economic prosperity. He argued that the current administration should not be judged solely by the immediate hardship accompanying its policies. The minister’s declaration is one of the clearest expressions yet from a senior member of the administration of confidence in Tinubu’s return to office in 2027.
Key points
- Minister of Works, Senator Dave Umahi, expresses confidence in President Bola Tinubu's re-election in 2027.
- Umahi cites Tinubu's performance and the challenging economic situation he inherited as reasons for Nigerians to give him another mandate.
- The minister outlines plans for completing four major legacy road projects within the next three years.
