The Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, has disclosed that leaders and stakeholders in Nigeria’s South-East region are exploring political and lawful options that could facilitate the release of detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.
Umahi said the move forms part of broader efforts by governors and stakeholders in the region to sustain peace, stability and economic progress across the South-East.
The minister made the remarks during an inspection visit to Section II of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project in Epe, Lagos State.
According to him, South-East governors remain committed to tackling insecurity while also engaging in efforts aimed at resolving issues surrounding Kanu’s continued 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 stated.
Umahi also criticised former Anambra State Governor and opposition figure, Peter Obi, accusing him of not speaking strongly enough against insecurity and the Monday sit-at-home order observed in parts of the South-East.
According to the minister, the impact of insecurity and disruptions in the region has been severe and requires more direct engagement.
“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.”
Reacting to reports circulating on social media suggesting that Obi had pledged to discontinue some of President Bola Tinubu’s legacy infrastructure projects if elected president, Umahi said such a position would be unfortunate if confirmed.
“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 stated.
Umahi maintained that leadership should be built on accountability, truth and visible achievements.
Speaking on the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project, the minister described it as a major infrastructure initiative designed to stimulate economic growth and national development.
“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 and development around the River Niger corridor would create new economic opportunities for the South-East and other parts of the country.
Umahi further stated that Ebonyi State remains politically aligned with President Bola Tinubu and not with the Obedient Movement.
“We recently adopted President Tinubu in Ebonyi State. I will not stop speaking. I will not stop defending Nigerians and our people.
“I want everybody to know that Ebonyi is not for the Obedient Movement. Our loyalty is to President Bola Tinubu,” he said.
The minister also called for comparisons between the records of Tinubu as former Governor of Lagos State and Peter Obi as former 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 added.
