Minister of Works, David Umahi, has urged the South-East region to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, insisting that the region must wait for its turn in the nation’s political rotation.
Gatekeepers News reports that speaking in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Abuja, Umahi stressed that Tinubu should be allowed to complete his two-term tenure for the sake of equity, fairness, and political stability.
He recalled that before the 2023 general elections, southern governors had agreed that power should return to the South regardless of political affiliation.
Umahi said, “It is not yet the time of the south-east. We, the 17 southern governors, met in Asaba before the 2023 elections and agreed that power should move to the south, regardless of party. The crown eventually came upon President Bola Tinubu, and he must be allowed to complete his eight years.”
According to him, Tinubu’s tenure represents the collective mandate of the entire southern region, and it would be wrong to call for a shift in power before 2031.
Umahi said, “The eight years he took are for all of us, both the south and the north. When he finishes, the south-east can contest, having never held the position before. The north-east too can vie when the time comes.”
Umahi maintained that fairness and justice in Nigeria’s leadership structure will only be achieved when every region has had its turn at the presidency.
He added, “For me, it is not yet the time of the south-east. When it comes, we have sons and daughters who are eminently qualified to contest.”
The minister also asserted that there are individuals from the zone who are more competent than some of those currently pushing for power.
While admitting that the South-East has suffered marginalisation in the past, a factor that affected the performance of the All Progressives Congress (APC) during the 2023 elections, Umahi said Tinubu has changed that narrative by promoting inclusiveness.
He said, “The south-east might complain about not having many appointments, but the position of minister of works is equivalent to five grade A ministries.”
The minister questioned whether previous appointments from the zone had led to tangible infrastructural growth. He urged the people to acknowledge the progress made under Tinubu while keeping faith in the broader national vision.
Umahi said, “Yes, acknowledge the past, but also focus on the realities of today.”
“We should be clapping with our hands and legs for President Bola Tinubu. My appointment as minister of works is not just a position; it is what we have used it to achieve for the entire country.”
