The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has urged President Bola Tinubu to ignore critics of the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, and retain him in office, describing him as one of the outstanding ministers from the South-East.

NANS said Umahi had distinguished himself through infrastructure development, particularly the adoption and expansion of concrete pavement technology in road construction across the country.

The student body made the appeal in a statement signed by its President, Babatunde Afeez Akinteye, in response to comments by socialite and businessman Pascal Okechukwu, popularly known as Cubana Chief Priest, criticising the minister.

The association said its assessment of Umahi’s performance was informed by its visits to federal road projects nationwide, especially roads leading to tertiary institutions.

“ What we have seen firsthand is not just the construction and rehabilitation of roads, but the work of a minister who has continued to raise the standard of infrastructure delivery through innovation, particularly the use of concrete pavement,” the statement said.

NANS described Umahi as a prominent figure in the Tinubu administration’s Renewed Hope agenda, arguing that his contributions to infrastructure development should be assessed on their merits rather than political disagreements.

It alleged that the criticism against the minister was connected to his support for Tinubu, adding that political differences should not be used as a basis for discrediting public officials.

The association maintained that Cubana Chief Priest was entitled to support any political candidate of his choice ahead of future elections but urged him to ensure that his public comments were supported by verifiable facts.

“An individual with no clear record of public service, like Cubana Chief Priest, should not be talking down on a performing minister like Engr. David Umahi,” the statement said.

NANS also called on the President not to be swayed by what it described as efforts to discredit the minister, insisting that Umahi had made significant contributions to road infrastructure across the country.

The association said its nationwide inspections had shown changes in the approach to federal road construction and rehabilitation, particularly through the use of concrete pavement.

It urged Nigerians to evaluate the minister based on his record in office and the impact of ongoing infrastructure projects.