Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, has said leaders in the South-East are exploring political solutions that could help secure the release of detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.
Umahi said the move is part of wider efforts by governors and stakeholders in the region to maintain peace and stability in the South-East.
He made the remarks during an inspection of Section II of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project in Epe, Lagos State.
According to him, South-East governors are working to tackle insecurity in the region while also pursuing lawful and political options regarding Kanu’s detention.
“The governors of the South-East are doing everything possible, and we are supporting them in ensuring a peaceful South-East while also exploring political ways of helping our brother, Nnamdi Kanu,” Umahi said.
The minister also criticised former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi, accusing him of not speaking strongly enough against insecurity and the Monday sit-at-home order in some parts of the South-East.
“Nobody should joke with the thousands of South-East people who were killed in the process. He has not been honest with our people. People sit at home every Monday, and he has not spoken against it,” he said.
“He simply wants to become President by all means, and that is not good for our people. Let us know the truth. Deceit will not help us.”
Umahi further reacted to reports on social media claiming that Obi had promised to stop some of President Bola Tinubu’s major infrastructure projects if elected president.
He said such a position would be unfortunate if the reports were true.
“When my brother, Peter Obi, said, as I saw on social media, that he would stop the legacy projects, that was a very painful statement. I hope he did not say so. But I know Nigerians will reject that position,” he said.
The minister stressed that good leadership must be based on truth, accountability and a proven record of service.
Speaking on the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project, Umahi described it as a key part of President Tinubu’s plan for national development and economic growth.
“This project, which someone is said to have promised to stop, and I hope he never said so, is highly innovative. I only saw it on social media,” he said.
He added that ongoing infrastructure projects, including efforts to boost economic activities around the River Niger corridor, would create significant opportunities for the South-East and the country.
Umahi also stated that Ebonyi State is not part of the Obedient Movement and remains supportive of President Tinubu.
“We recently adopted President Tinubu in Ebonyi State. I will not stop speaking. I will not stop defending Nigerians and our people,” he said.
“I want everybody to know that Ebonyi is not for the Obedient Movement. Our loyalty is to President Bola Tinubu.”
The minister challenged members of the Obedient Movement to compare Tinubu’s achievements as Governor of Lagos State with Obi’s record as Governor of Anambra State.
“I have challenged the Obedient Movement to compare President Bola Tinubu’s record as Governor of Lagos State with that of Peter Obi as Governor of Anambra State. Let us see the master plans each of them created. Let us see the projects that lived beyond their tenure,” Umahi said.
