Why Gov Otti should support Tinubu – Umahi

Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, has called on Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, and the wider South-East to rally behind President Bola Tinubu in the interest of regional development—regardless of political affiliations.

Umahi made this appeal during a courtesy visit to Governor Otti in Umuahia on Thursday after inspecting ongoing federal road projects across the state. Several of these projects, he noted, are scheduled for commissioning by President Tinubu later in the year.

Commending the personal rapport between Otti and the President, Umahi said: “We have every reason as Ndigbo and people of the South-East, 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.

“So, 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 the President, and I am happy that you have so much love for him. And, without speaking for you, I will beat my chest to say that all the governors of Southeast are standing with the President.”

The Minister also praised Otti’s efforts in rehabilitating federal roads within Abia State and delivering infrastructure of notable quality.
“I didn’t want to tell you, and you didn’t know that I was coming, but I am here principally to secretly look at some of our projects in Abia State that we want to commission by December, and also look at some of the great projects you are doing that the President will commission when he visits Abia State, so that I will be able to report properly to him.

“I have gone round on my own, I didn’t ask anybody to join me, and I want to say that I am very proud of what you are doing for Abia people. I’m really proud. Not only the quantum of projects you have completed, but the quality also, especially, the Port-Harcourt Road. It is mind-blowing that, that place could be recovered. And, I think it is only a heart of yours that can recover that place the way it is now.
“I commend you very highly, and it is only the President, the man of infrastructure, that will be qualified to commission that project… I also want to thank you for some of the interventions on our Federal Roads,” he added.

Umahi further acknowledged Otti’s support for work being done on the Port Harcourt to Enugu Expressway, stating that construction was previously hindered before the governor took office. He urged Otti to extend similar backing to other parts of the carriageway.

“To look at the plight of our people on the other (Aba – PH Express) carriageway. See what you can do to help us. Even if you want to use the same contractor, use them,” he appealed.

In his response, Governor Otti reaffirmed his administration’s readiness to collaborate with the federal government in delivering impactful projects.

“I want to reassure you that we will work with the Federal Government and ensure that we work together and collaboratively for the benefit of our people,” he said.

On the ongoing work on the Enugu-Port Harcourt carriageway, he added, “I would ask the Commissioner for Works to go and have a look at it. When those roads are done, the credit goes to the government. Whether it is the one at the centre or the one at the state, it is the same government, and then, the beneficiaries are the people.”