MINISTER of Works, Engr David Umahi, has dismissed reports of a political alliance between opposition groups and politicians in Ebonyi State, insisting that the state remains firmly aligned with the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its candidates.
Umahi, a former governor of Ebonyi, said there is no ‘Rainbow Coalition’ operating in the state, amid growing political disagreements over arrangements ahead of the 2027 elections.
The minister spoke on Friday while inspecting Section Two of the Calabar-Abuja Superhighway in Ado, Benue State.
His comments followed questions about his relationship with Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and reports that Wike was establishing a political structure in Ebonyi similar to the broader Rainbow Coalition.
“If Wike has candidates here, he has not told me. And his candidate cannot break our relationship, but his candidate is not part of our relationship. There is no rainbow coalition in Ebonyi State,” Umahi said.
Umahi warns against hate speech
The former governor said politicians were free to campaign in Ebonyi but warned against inflammatory statements or actions capable of creating tension.
“Anybody that wants to campaign, come and campaign. But don’t dish out hate speeches and you want to take those speeches, and you want that we should lay a red carpet for you. We will not do that,” he said.
“Nobody can foment crisis in Ebonyi State,” he added.
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Umahi also revisited his decision to leave the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), accusing the party of failing to adequately recognise the political interests of the South-East.
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“We supported PDP. We voted for presidents in PDP. And when it was our time for them to honour us, they did not honour us. They maltreated us,” he said.
Minister defends Tinubu’s infrastructure projects
Umahi also rejected claims that he had influenced the Federal Government to concentrate infrastructure projects in the South-East.
He said the distribution of federal projects was determined by the wider infrastructure programme of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
“I saw on social media where they say I cornered all projects to South-East. That is very wonderful. But we have the publication of all projects ongoing by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, so they darken counsel without knowledge,” he said.
“I’m not on my own. The president is my boss. So where will he be when I corner all projects to South-East?”
According to Umahi, the South-East may not rank among the first regions in terms of the number of projects allocated, but he said it would not be left behind.
He urged Nigerians to assess the administration based on projects already under construction rather than promises about what could be done in the future.
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“We tell our story. It’s not a question of saying, ‘I will do this, I’ll do this.’ What about the one that the person is doing? Let us compare the past with the present,” he said.
Calabar-Abuja highway work gets fresh directives
During his inspection of the Calabar-Abuja Superhighway, Umahi ordered contractors handling Section Two of the project to increase the pace of construction.
The section covers approximately 173.6 kilometres and has a contract value of about N683 billion, while Section One is valued at approximately N454 billion, according to the minister.
Umahi also directed contractors to avoid demolishing buildings along the existing alignment until the Federal Government completes a review of the route.
“My directive is that no building should be touched. Even if it’s within the alignment, I have to come and realign it. So you just have to continue your work and go around those buildings until we come to look at it,” he said.
He further instructed contractors to open additional sections of the highway while engineers work on issues affecting the Ado Bridge.
“I do not believe in engineering that anything is impossible,” Umahi said.
Umahi explains support for Tinubu
The minister said his backing for Tinubu ahead of the 2027 presidential election was based on the administration’s policies and infrastructure programme.
“What gave rise to this is because I believe in President Bola Tinubu. I believe that he’s the one called by God. I believe in his vision. I believe in his reforms,” he said.
Umahi also argued that continuity was important for major infrastructure projects that require several years to complete.
He said a change in government could disrupt projects already under construction.
“If, God forbid, another person says he’s president, all these projects will be stalled. And I don’t think Ebonyi wants their projects to be stalled,” he said.
Umahi speaks on son’s nomination
The minister also addressed the nomination of his son as chairman of Ohaozara Local Government Area, saying the decision was made by Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, and not by him.
Umahi said he had advised his son to ensure that development was distributed fairly across all 11 wards in the council.
“I have advised him, don’t do anything for the people of Uburu because you are from Uburu. It has to be equitably distributed among the 11 council wards in Ohaozara Local Government,” he said
