Umahi Opens Enugu–Onitsha Road Section, Urges Southeast to Deliver 80% Votes for Tinubu
By Onwe Wisdom, Pan Afric Reporters
The Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, has inaugurated a completed section of the Enugu–Onitsha Expressway, while calling on the Southeast to deliver up to 80 per cent of votes for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 elections, citing ongoing infrastructure development across the region.
The development was contained in a press statement issued by Francis Nwaze, Senior Special Assistant (Media) to the Minister of Works, on April 3, 2026.
Speaking at the event in Enugu, Umahi highlighted the significance of the project, noting the transformation of a once difficult route. “The journey of Enugu to Onitsha was taking about 7 hours before 2023. The most important road in South East is this road,” he said.
He explained that the project, initially under a tax credit scheme involving MTN Nigeria and executed by RCC, had stalled before the intervention of President Tinubu. “We inherited this road under Tax credit of MTN and executed for them by RCC but everything was on stand still until I went to plead with President Tinubu,” he stated.
According to the minister, the President not only revived the project but also improved its quality, saying, “The President didn’t only give acceleration to the construction of this road but he directed that at least 50% of it must be on concrete.”
Providing updates on the project, Umahi disclosed that “the first 50km of reinforced concrete pavement is about 97% completed,” adding that he was directed to open part of the road to ease travel during the Easter period. “That’s why I am here to open the first 15km of the road,” he said.
The minister outlined several ongoing and completed road projects across the Southeast, stressing that “time will fail us to say all that the President is doing in SouthEast,” while noting that many projects are at advanced stages of completion.
He also assured that the Enugu–Onitsha Expressway would feature modern infrastructure, including solar lighting. “You can see this Enugu-Onitsha, it’s going to be solar light all through,” he added.
On political developments, Umahi urged Southeast leaders and residents to support the President, saying, “In 2027, the people of SouthEast must be very strategic. We want these projects to be completed.”
He further appealed for massive electoral support, declaring, “We should not be aiming to give him anything less than 80 percent. Do that and leave the rest for us. We will boldly go to negotiation table.”
The minister also dismissed claims of marginalisation in the region, stating, “The marginalization we are talking about, it’s over,” and urged leaders to speak up about federal projects in the zone.
Emphasising unity and political strategy, he said, “Let nobody split our votes. Let nobody mislead us,” while encouraging leaders to be vocal in communicating government achievements.
Umahi concluded by reaffirming the administration’s commitment to infrastructure and development, stating that “governance is about development… fairness, equality and justice,” and expressing confidence that more projects would be delivered across the Southeast.
