Minister of Works, Senator Dave Umahi, has commended President Bola Tinubu’s performance in office and affirmed that the South East is solidly behind him ahead of the 2027 elections.
Speaking to journalists in Lagos on Friday night, Umahi rejected the notion that the region was attaching conditions — such as the release of detained IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu — to its support for the President.
“Somebody asked me about Nnamdi Kanu, and I said his matter is not a condition for the South East to support the President.
“We are willing to negotiate his release, but no one should make it a condition because the President did not put him there,” he said.
He described Tinubu as a responsive leader and expressed optimism that Kanu’s release would be achieved through dialogue and divine intervention, not political bargaining or coercion.
He said: “President Tinubu may not be perfect, but he is doing most things right.
“Look at where he picked up the economy from. The international community has confidence in his reforms. That is why we are getting support for our projects.”
Umahi pointed to several ongoing infrastructure projects in the South East, noting that many of them had been neglected by previous governments.
“Let those criticising the president show us what they have done for the country,” he said.
The minister also dismissed allegations that the region was being excluded from key federal appointments. According to him, Tinubu has done more for the South East than many past administrations.
He urged political leaders in the region to work together, irrespective of party lines, and praised the cooperation between the President and governors from opposition parties in the South East.
Addressing speculation about his political ambition, Umahi stated that he had no plans to run for president in 2027.
“I will not run. I will work for my boss, President Tinubu.
“APC is the path to achieving what we want. The South East now has a voice at the centre. We will not return to Egypt,” he said
