Abuja: Minister of Works, David Umahi, has dismissed claims of marginalisation of the South-East and North-West zones under the President Bola Tinubu administration, describing them as political. Umahi told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in an interview that such sentiments in the two zones were not rooted in reality.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the minister acknowledged the South-East’s historical grievances but insisted that the current administration had treated the zone fairly, particularly in terms of infrastructure development and key federal appointments. He stated that the president is not working for the South-East alone but also for other zones. The former Governor of Ebonyi also mentioned that similar attention was being paid to the North-West zone.
Umahi elaborated on the infrastructure development, noting that when the Director-General of the Budget Office analyzed nationwide projects, the North-West received three to four times more attention than the South-East and North-East. He pointed out that previously, the South-East had minimal representation in projects such as those by the NNPC, with only five percent involvement compared to 26 percent in other zones. Umahi emphasized that the current cries of marginalisation are political and not based on actual neglect.
He urged the South-East to appreciate the president for the improvements in economic activities, security, and infrastructure rather than focusing solely on appointments. Umahi highlighted past significant appointments held by individuals from the South-East, such as Secretary to the Government of the Federation, and various ministerial roles. He expressed optimism for better prospects in 2027 and suggested a collective spirit of entitlement to demand more appointments in the future.
Umahi noted that efforts are underway to rally the entire South-East behind Tinubu, stressing that protecting the zone’s interests would lead to electoral support for the president. He credited the current administration with executing key projects previously denied to the South-East, which had contributed to economic challenges in the past.
Addressing past marginalisation, Umahi remarked that the region is now experiencing improvements, particularly under the leadership in Ebonyi State. He attributed poor electoral performance in the 2023 general elections to past neglect by previous administrations, economic challenges, and religious influences.
Umahi also dismissed allegations of marginalisation of the North-West zone, highlighting significant development projects in the region. These include the Sokoto to Zamfara road, the Abuja to Kano road project, and the Kano-Jigawa road, among others. He affirmed that the North-West deserved these projects due to their electoral support for the president and expressed his commitment to helping Tinubu complete these initiatives before the 2027 general elections.