2027: Obi can’t win, enlightenment will cost him votes — Umahi

n n

Minister of Works, Davide Umahi.

n

By John Alechenu

n

ABUJA — Minister of Works, David Umahi, has said the presidential candidate of the National Democratic Congress, NDC, Peter Obi, cannot win the 2027 presidential election.

n

Umahi stated this on Tuesday in Abuja while receiving a report from the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, on its nationwide tour of federal roads.

n

The minister urged leaders in the South-East to speak to the people about what he described as the achievements of President Bola Tinubu’s administration in the region.

n

He said, “The more we educate our people, the less votes Peter Obi will get. Peter Obi cannot win in 2027.

n

“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.”

n

Umahi also expressed support for Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo, over his backing for Tinubu, saying supporters of the President should be allowed to express their political preferences.

n

“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.

n

The minister also said the Federal Government had undertaken projects and made appointments that, according to him, demonstrated its inclusion of the South-East.

n

“No other President has done what President Tinubu has done for the South-East, whether by appointment, inclusion or projects,” Umahi said.

n

He added that infrastructure such as roads and bridges was important to economic development.

n

On the financing of legacy projects, Umahi said the Federal Government would provide 30 per cent of the cost, while the balance would come from loans to be repaid through tolling.

n

“The Federal Government is providing 30 per cent of the funds and the remaining balance is from loans which will be payable by tolling,” he said.

n

The minister also decried vandalism and reckless driving on the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway.

n

He said some individuals had been removing materials installed for road demarcation and manhole covers, while motorists also engaged in excessive speeding along the route.

n

“People cut the iron we used for demarcation, remove manhole covers and even overspeed. This is unacceptable,” Umahi said.

n

Earlier, NANS President, Akinteye Babatunde Afeez, said the North-West leg of the students’ road tour covered Kano, Jigawa, Kaduna and Sokoto states.

n

He said the students inspected the Kano-Maiduguri, Kano-Katsina, Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano, Mando-Birnin Gwari, Sokoto-Badagry and Illela-Dukamaje roads, which connect more than 10 tertiary institutions.

n

Afeez said NANS was impressed by the scale, quality and pace of work observed during the tour.

n

He, however, recommended the construction of a pedestrian bridge at the Federal Co-operative College, Kaduna, to improve students’ safety.

n n