The Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, has appealed to Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, and other Southeast leaders to rally behind President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, regardless of political party differences. Umahi made the call on Thursday, June 20, 2025, during a courtesy visit to Governor Otti in Umuahia after inspecting several ongoing federal road projects across Abia State.
The Minister, who is also a former Governor of Ebonyi State, described the relationship between President Tinubu and Governor Otti as a long-standing and sincere one, even before he personally got close to the President. He noted that Tinubu has shown uncommon interest in the development of the Southeast, and this deserves reciprocal support from the region.
“We have every reason as Ndigbo and people of the Southeast, irrespective of party affiliation, to stand with this man (President Tinubu), who is standing with the Southeast to rewrite our history and relaunch us into the mainstream of the federal government,” Umahi said.
He acknowledged that Governor Otti had always shown support for President Tinubu and praised him for his contributions to the development of federal infrastructure in the state. “I will not preach to you about support for the President because you have been the President’s very good friend, even before I came to know him. I will beat my chest to say that all the governors of Southeast are standing with the President,” Umahi stated.
The Minister commended Governor Otti for the quality of roads being executed in Abia, especially his work on Port Harcourt Road in Aba, describing it as “mind-blowing.” He said the level of work done there is remarkable and only someone with Governor Otti’s kind of commitment could have recovered the road in its current condition.
“I didn’t want to tell you, and you didn’t know that I was coming. I came to secretly inspect our federal projects in the state and also to look at the wonderful work you’re doing that the President will commission when he visits Abia State. I have gone round alone, and I’m really proud. Not only the number of projects you have completed but the quality too. What you’ve done at Port Harcourt Road is outstanding,” Umahi said.
He added that the President, being a man committed to infrastructure, would be the best person to commission such high-standard projects. Umahi also expressed appreciation to Governor Otti for his support toward the completion of federal roads in the state, particularly the two sections of the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway.
He further appealed to Governor Otti to intervene on the Aba-Port Harcourt Expressway carriageway, which he said still requires urgent attention. “Please look at the plight of our people on that side. See what you can do, even if it means using the same contractor,” he pleaded.
In his response, Governor Alex Otti reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to partnering with the Federal Government in delivering infrastructure that will benefit the people of Abia and the Southeast.
“I want to reassure you that we will continue to work with the Federal Government. The goal is not about politics, but about the people. The credit for completed roads goes to the government — whether federal or state. At the end of the day, it is the people that benefit,” Governor Otti said.
He commended the Federal Ministry of Works for its support to Abia State and assured that the state government is ready to do more in partnership with the federal authorities. Otti also directed the state Commissioner for Works to inspect the section of the Enugu-Port Harcourt carriageway mentioned by the Minister for possible intervention.
The visit comes at a time when infrastructure development is a central part of President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, and Southeast governors are being encouraged to work more closely with the federal government to bridge development gaps in the region.
Governor Otti’s approach, which has been largely non-partisan and focused on infrastructure delivery since assuming office, continues to attract commendation from different quarters, including from federal officials like Senator Umahi.
As the year draws to a close, many of the road projects in Abia, including federal and state roads, are being lined up for commissioning. President Tinubu is expected to visit Abia State later in the year to inaugurate some of these major projects, showcasing federal-state collaboration under his administration.
