Igbo apex group Ohanaeze Ndigbo on Sunday said that the two greatest and most important basic factors the Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration has done for the Southeast since coming on board were appointing an Igbo man as Minister of Works and his resolute commitment toward addressing the long-neglected and severely dilapidated Federal road infrastructure within the zone.
In a statement in Abakaliki, the Deputy National President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, insisted that after the Nigeria-Biafra War in 1970, only Tinubu’s administration stands as the first presidency to demonstrably capture the hearts and cultivate the trust of the people of the Southeast through his critical interventions and infrastructural initiatives, noting that the Southeast will always stand with Mr. President.
He pointed out that Ohanaeze Ndigbo unequivocally states that these concerted efforts of the Federal Government, specifically within the Southeast, represent far greater and more immediate benefits to Ndigbo than any individual’s aspirations for the Presidency in 2027.
He stated that despite Mr. President’s infrastructural initiatives in the zone, two were more critical, which include the appointment of Sen. David Umahi as Minister of Works and his resolute commitment toward addressing the long-neglected and severely dilapidated Federal road infrastructure within the zone, stressing that it underscores a tangible commitment to the Southeast.
“The ongoing construction and rehabilitation of numerous abandoned Federal roads, most notably the groundbreaking CROSS RIVER-EBONYI-BENUE-KOGI-ABUJA SUPER HIGHWAY, which offers a vital alternative route for Ndigbo and the people of the former Eastern Region to access the Northern region, represents a transformative undertaking, and this Super Highway underscores a tangible commitment to the Southeast,” he stated.
He pleaded with Igbo to utilise the Tinubu’s Renewed Hope road infrastructure zonal town hall meetings platform to implore President Tinubu to ensure the swift and timely release of necessary funds for the accelerated completion of all ongoing construction and rehabilitation projects on Federal roads within the Southeast region.
The statement read: “Over the past fifty-five years, since the conclusion of the Nigeria-Biafra War in 1970, it is undeniable that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu stands as the first President to demonstrably capture the hearts and cultivate the trust of the people of the Southeast, and this significant shift in perception stems from two critical factors.”
“Firstly, the strategic appointment of Senator Nweze David Umahi, a distinguished son of Igboland, as Minister of Works, an unprecedented recognition of Igbo capacity in this crucial portfolio since the 1970s; and secondly, Mr. President’s resolute commitment toward addressing the long-neglected and severely dilapidated Federal road infrastructure within the Southeast.”
“We, the people of the Southeast, are exceedingly proud of the exemplary performance of Minister of Works, Senator Nweze David Umahi, and his adoption of innovative construction techniques in the rehabilitation of inherited and newly approved roads, including the monumental LAGOS-CALABAR COASTAL SUPER HIGHWAY and the SOKOTO-BADAGRY SUPER HIGHWAY, among others.
“Ohanaeze Ndigbo proudly acknowledges Senator Umahi as one of the top five performing Ministers within the Federal Executive Council, and his exceptional diligence and outstanding performance over the past two years have significantly enhanced the political prospects of the Southeast, fostering robust alliances across the nation.
“This is exemplified through his periodic TINUBU’S RENEWED HOPE ROAD INFRASTRUCTURAL ROAD DEV Zonal Townhall Meetings, conducted across all six geopolitical zones, allowing him to gauge the immediate needs and concerns of Nigerians regarding their dilapidated road infrastructure.
“The bitter lessons of Nigerian political history teach us that, regrettably, past Presidents have often fallen short of prioritising the tangible development of their immediate ethnic groups and geopolitical zones.
“For instance, former President Goodluck Jonathan failed to construct a significant network of durable Federal roads in his Niger-Delta region, while the late Muhammadu Buhari, despite his eight years, proved unable to definitively resolve the Boko Haram insurgency, nor did he successfully address the prevalent insecurity challenges in the North.
“While the Southeast undoubtedly possesses the legitimate right to aspire to the Office of President of Nigeria, the immediate priority must be the unwavering support for the completion of the critical projects initiated by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu between now and 2027 and beyond.
“The Tinubu administration is demonstrably prioritising the needs of the Southeast, effectively addressing the long-standing issues of marginalisation, systematic exclusion from vital projects and impactful policies, and the historical grievances which have plagued Ndigbo for generations.
“His administration appears to be dismantling the age-old barriers designed to cripple the economic and social progress of our people.”
