South-East Politics: Umahi Reveals How Tinubu Has Fully Integrated The Region

Minister of Works Dave Umahi has said President Bola Tinubu has fully integrated the South-East into his administration, insisting that the region is seeking fairness rather than preferential treatment.

According to Bush Radio Academy, Umahi made the remarks while appearing on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, where he discussed the Federal Government’s relationship with the South-East and ongoing efforts to address infrastructure and political concerns in the region.

The minister said the Tinubu administration had demonstrated its commitment to treating Nigeria as one united entity, citing appointments and representation of people from the South-East in key positions.

“The president has fully integrated the South-East. Remember, we had the Naval Chief; now we have the Air Force Chief. The good intention is that the president has taken the entire nation as one united family,” Umahi said.

He maintained that the South-East was not demanding special privileges but wanted to be treated equitably alongside other regions.

“The South-East is not asking for treatment better than others. We just want to be fairly treated,” he said.

Umahi also expressed appreciation to the National Assembly over ongoing discussions surrounding the proposed creation of an additional state in the South-East.

He described the creation of a sixth state for the region as a work in progress, saying equity requires the South-East to have a number of states comparable with other regions.

“It’s a work in progress. It’s also what we are telling our people because equity demands that we should have what other people have,” he added.

Meanwhile, the minister dismissed claims that he had deliberately concentrated Federal Government projects in the South-East.

Umahi made the clarification during an inspection of the Calabar-Abuja Superhighway in Benue State, stressing that he does not independently determine where federal projects are located.

He said President Tinubu, whom he described as his superior, is aware of the projects being executed across the country.

“I saw on social media where they say I cornered all projects to Southeast. That is very wonderful. But we have the publication of all projects ongoing by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” Umahi said.

“I’m not on my own. The President is my boss. So where will he be when I corner all projects to Southeast?” he added.

The minister further explained that infrastructure projects in the South-East form part of the Federal Government’s broader development programme. He acknowledged that the region might not rank first, second or third in terms of project distribution, but insisted that it would not be left behind.

Umahi’s comments come amid continued political discussions over the Federal Government’s relationship with the South-East and calls for greater infrastructure development and equitable representation in the region.