The Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) has commended President Bola Tinubu for what it described as the visible progress recorded in road infrastructure across Nigeria, urging the administration to maintain consistency in project execution and funding.
In a statement issued on Saturday in Abuja, the coalition’s National Spokesperson, Comrade Mark Adebayo, said a team of its steering committee members had undertaken an independent inspection of major federal highways and found the scale and quality of ongoing projects to be “impressive and encouraging.”
The assessment, he noted, was part of a wider evaluation of government performance across key sectors as the administration approaches its second year in office.
“As 2025 draws to a close, coalition members have been analysing work done in various sectors of the Nigerian economy under the current administration,” Adebayo said. “This is necessary for constructive criticism of the activities of the Federal Government and to task both leaders and the electorate ahead of the 2027 elections.”
He explained that the inspection—covering the Abuja–Lokoja–Benin corridor and other major routes—was intended to verify government claims through first-hand observation. “We might have set out initially to puncture claims of achievements by the All Progressives Congress government, especially in infrastructure development, but the impression we got in this first phase of our nationwide inspection was very positive,” he said.
Adebayo added that the coalition’s findings showed that contractors were actively working on multiple projects, including the Abuja–Kaduna–Zaria–Kano Expressway, Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway (Phase One), Benin–Shagamu–Ore Road, Enugu–Onitsha Expressway, and the Abuja–Lokoja–Benin dual carriageway—many of which employ reinforced concrete technology for improved durability.
Barrister Emeka Benjamin Igwe, another member of the CUPP steering committee, praised President Tinubu for sustaining investments in infrastructure and commended Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, for what he called “hands-on, results-oriented leadership.”
“From our assessment of various sectors so far, Senator Umahi stands out as one of the hardest working ministers in the current administration,” Igwe said. “The scope of road construction and rehabilitation projects going on simultaneously across the country is vast and ambitious.”
The coalition also lauded Umahi’s empathy in governance, citing his decision to send a delegation from the Ministry of Works to condole with the people of Essan community in Niger State following a recent tanker explosion. The group said the Minister’s prompt assurance that the affected road would be fixed demonstrated “purposeful and responsive leadership.”
CUPP members emphasised that constructive opposition involves acknowledging genuine progress where it exists. “Even as opposition, if you see positive development in government activities, you should say it. Everything is not about criticism and condemnation,” Adebayo noted.
He added that if the current pace of work continues, Nigeria could overcome its long-standing “bad roads syndrome” within a few years. “From what we have observed, the current administration is performing well in this area. Senator David Umahi may end up being one of the most effective Works Ministers in Nigeria’s history if he maintains this trajectory,” he said.
The coalition, however, cautioned against harassment of citizens who independently inspect public projects, insisting that monitoring government performance is a civic responsibility.
“Every Nigerian has the right to harmlessly observe government projects. Such engagement provides an alternative feedback mechanism for the public and strengthens accountability,” the statement concluded.
