Jubilation As Tinubu Grants South-East Biafra Recognition
The Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, has said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has effectively given Ndigbo the Biafra they have long agitated for through inclusive governance, national integration, and massive infrastructure development in the South East.
Umahi also declared that 2026 would be a year of restoration and major turnaround for Nigeria, stressing that the most difficult phase of the country’s nationhood was over.
Speaking in his New Year message, the former Ebonyi State governor attributed Nigeria’s gradual recovery to what he described as the robust economic and infrastructural policies of the Tinubu administration. He expressed optimism that the coming year would witness significant transformation across all sectors of the economy.
Umahi urged people of the South East to remain steadfast in their support for President Tinubu, particularly ahead of the 2027 general election, describing the President as a major consolation to Ndigbo after years of neglect and marginalisation.
According to him, the region would “correct the errors” of the 2023 elections by rallying behind Tinubu in future polls, insisting that the President had addressed what he termed the criminal marginalisation of the South East by previous administrations.
“Our people will never make the mistake of 2023 again. We shall remain resolute and stand strongly together behind Mr President in the 2027 election,” Umahi said. “Ndigbo will not be deceived again by marauding politicians with sugar-coated mouths.”
He added that if President Tinubu appears on the ballot in 2027, governors of the South East and himself would stand firmly with him, describing such support as being in the collective interest of the region.
“One of our brothers is already saying he will be on the ballot in 2027, but I am telling Ndigbo that President Tinubu will be on the ballot. Once he is on the ballot, all the governors of the South East are on the ballot, and I, the Minister of Works, am also on the ballot,” he said.
Umahi maintained that the kind of Biafra many Igbos fought and agitated for has now come through unity, inclusion, and equal participation in national development.
“President Tinubu has reopened our chapter and is massively investing in our future. Indeed, the Biafra is here,” he stated.
The minister also called for social re-engineering and the de-radicalisation of minds still clinging to separatist narratives, urging them to embrace unity and national integration as the true path to progress.
On infrastructure, Umahi assured Nigerians that ongoing federal road projects across the country were receiving adequate funding and close supervision, adding that many of the projects would be completed in record time and according to specifications.
He further disclosed plans to constitute a special task force to enforce the ban on trucks parking on federal highways. According to him, the Ministry of Works will collaborate with security agencies to ensure safer highways, especially as travellers return to their destinations after the yuletide season.
