By Julius Peter, Abuja
The Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, has urged Nigerians to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s second-term ambition, saying continuity in leadership is essential to sustain ongoing infrastructure development, consolidate economic reforms and accelerate national prosperity.
Umahi made the call on Tuesday during a town hall meeting at the Coronation Hall in Kano, where he defended the Tinubu administration’s economic policies and expressed optimism that the benefits of the reforms would increasingly translate into improved infrastructure and better economic opportunities for Nigerians.
The meeting preceded the scheduled commissioning of outstanding works on Section I, Lot 1 of the Abuja–Kaduna–Zaria–Kano Expressway, a major federal road project expected to improve transportation and economic connectivity across the North-West.
The minister described the removal of the petroleum subsidy and other economic policy decisions introduced by the Tinubu administration as difficult but necessary measures aimed at repositioning the country for sustainable growth and long-term prosperity.
According to him, although the reforms have required difficult adjustments, the country is gradually moving towards a period in which their benefits will become more evident.
“The worst is over. The darkest part of the morning is the dawn. We are moving into prosperity as a result of the hard decisions occasioned by the reforms,” Umahi said.
He expressed confidence that the administration’s ongoing investments in roads and other critical infrastructure would contribute significantly to economic recovery, facilitate the movement of goods and services, and improve the quality of life of citizens.
Umahi maintained that sustained implementation of government policies and projects was necessary to achieve the objectives of the Renewed Hope Agenda, urging Nigerians to support the administration as it pursues its development priorities.
The minister identified infrastructure development as a critical component of the Federal Government’s efforts to stimulate economic activities, strengthen national integration and improve the competitiveness of Nigerian businesses.
He noted that investments in road infrastructure remained particularly important to the movement of agricultural produce, commercial goods, industrial inputs and passengers across the country.
According to him, well-developed road networks would reduce travel difficulties, improve access to markets and services, and support economic activities in different parts of the country.
He expressed the expectation that the Federal Government’s ongoing road projects would continue to deliver benefits to communities and businesses, while strengthening connections between states and major commercial centres.
Umahi also defended the economic reforms undertaken by the Tinubu administration, arguing that difficult policy decisions were necessary to address longstanding economic challenges and establish a stronger foundation for sustainable development.
He urged Nigerians to remain hopeful and allow the reforms to produce their intended results, expressing optimism that the country would experience greater prosperity as infrastructure projects and other development initiatives progressed.
The minister’s appeal for a second presidential term was anchored on the need to sustain ongoing projects and ensure that policies initiated by the present administration continued without disruption.
He also called on Nigerians to assess the administration’s performance in the areas of infrastructure development and economic management as the country moves towards another election cycle.
Beyond the national political issues, Umahi commended Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, for what he described as inclusive leadership, commitment to peace and unity, and efforts to promote development in the state.
The minister praised the governor’s approach to governance, noting the importance of leadership that accommodates different interests and promotes peaceful coexistence among residents.
He also expressed admiration for Kano’s environmental sanitation standards and cleanliness, describing them as important elements of effective urban management and public administration.
Umahi said the development of any state required purposeful leadership, a commitment to public welfare and the ability to bring people together in pursuit of common objectives.
He urged political leaders to prioritise peace, unity and development, stressing that cooperation between different levels of government remained essential to delivering meaningful dividends of democracy.
The minister subsequently called on the people of Kano to support both Tinubu and Yusuf for second terms, arguing that continuity in leadership would help consolidate existing achievements and sustain development programmes.
He said the continuation of ongoing infrastructure projects and economic policies would be important to maintaining the momentum of development at both the federal and state levels.
Umahi also advocated greater opportunities for engineers to occupy leadership positions in government, arguing that their technical training, analytical abilities and problem-solving skills could contribute to more effective governance.
He noted that engineering professionals were trained to identify challenges, evaluate available options and develop practical solutions, qualities he said were valuable in public administration and national development.
According to the minister, greater participation of engineers in leadership could strengthen planning, improve project execution and promote accountability in infrastructure delivery.
He emphasised the need for leaders to combine technical knowledge with sound judgment and a commitment to public service in addressing the country’s development challenges.
Umahi’s position reflected his longstanding emphasis on technical competence and professional expertise in the planning and implementation of infrastructure projects.
He encouraged Nigerians to recognise the contributions professionals could make to governance and to support leadership approaches that prioritise competence, innovation and results.
The minister also reaffirmed the commitment of the South-East to Nigeria’s unity and the Tinubu administration, stressing the importance of cooperation among the country’s geopolitical zones in addressing national challenges.
He urged Nigerians to look beyond regional and political differences and work together towards building a stronger and more prosperous country.
Umahi maintained that national development required collective responsibility, mutual understanding and sustained collaboration among political leaders, communities and citizens.
He called for greater unity among Nigerians, noting that infrastructure development and economic recovery would be more effective when supported by a shared commitment to national progress.
His appeal came amid continuing political discussions ahead of the 2027 general elections, with political actors increasingly making cases for continuity or changes in leadership.
In his welcome remarks, Governor Yusuf thanked the Federal Government for its investments in infrastructure in Kano State and other parts of the North-West.
The governor highlighted the importance of the scheduled commissioning of outstanding works on Section I, Lot 1 of the Abuja–Kaduna–Zaria–Kano Expressway, describing the project as significant to transportation and economic development in the region.
He noted that improved road infrastructure would strengthen connectivity between major commercial centres, ease the movement of people and goods, and create opportunities for businesses and other economic activities.
According to Yusuf, the strategic importance of the expressway extends beyond Kano State, as it links important population centres and commercial destinations while facilitating movement between different parts of northern Nigeria.
He expressed appreciation to the Federal Government for its commitment to infrastructure development and called for sustained collaboration between federal and state authorities to address the needs of the people.
The governor’s remarks underscored the importance of cooperation between the two tiers of government in delivering projects that support economic growth and improve the welfare of citizens.
The Abuja–Kaduna–Zaria–Kano Expressway is a major transportation corridor connecting the Federal Capital Territory with important commercial and population centres in Kaduna and Kano states.
The road serves commuters, traders, transport operators and businesses, making its rehabilitation and completion important to regional commerce and mobility.
The Federal Ministry of Works reaffirmed its commitment to delivering safe, durable and high-quality road infrastructure across the country under the Tinubu administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
The ministry said infrastructure development remained central to the Federal Government’s efforts to improve connectivity, support economic activities and promote national development.
It also emphasised the importance of delivering road projects to the required standards to ensure their durability, safety and long-term value to the public.
The ministry’s position reflects the administration’s stated priority of improving transportation infrastructure as part of broader efforts to stimulate economic growth and strengthen links between communities and commercial centres.
For Kano and the wider North-West, the completion of major highway projects is expected to support the movement of agricultural produce and manufactured goods, improve access to markets and enhance connections with the Federal Capital Territory.
As preparations continue for the commissioning of the expressway works, Umahi’s appeal for political continuity has placed infrastructure delivery and economic reforms at the centre of his argument for a second term for President Tinubu.
He maintained that sustaining ongoing projects and policies would be important to achieving the administration’s development objectives, while urging Nigerians to support the government’s efforts to reposition the country for prosperity.
