By Charles Nwoke
Minister of Works David Umahi has dismissed plans by opposition politicians to form a coalition aimed at unseating President Bola Tinubu in 2027, describing their efforts as bound to fail.
Speaking on Sunday at the flag-off of the 282-kilometre Abuja-Kano road reconstruction project, Umahi said the administration’s reforms were producing positive results, citing the recent Fitch Ratings upgrade as evidence. The project, valued at N777 billion, is expected to be completed within 14 months.
Umahi noted that Fitch upgraded Nigeria’s Long-Term Foreign-Currency Issuer Default Rating from ‘B-‘ to ‘B’, with a stable outlook. He said this proved the effectiveness of Tinubu’s economic policies, contrary to the claims of critics.
“The Fitch financial institution, just a few days ago, said the reforms of Mr President are working,” Umahi said. “So, who is the opposition that darkens counsel without knowledge? Nigeria is working. The worst is over.”
He warned that opposition parties were offering no credible alternatives and were only engaged in “cheap talk.”
“When you are in opposition, you are doing constructive opposition, not destructive ones,” Umahi said. “You have to provide an alternative to what you are criticising. Talk is cheap and the job is very easy when you are not the one doing it.”
Umahi declared himself a prophet and predicted that Tinubu would complete two terms in office.
“God has told me that President Bola Tinubu will serve eight years,” he said. “Governor Uba Sani will also serve eight years.”
To promote the administration’s road infrastructure achievements, Umahi announced that his ministry will begin zonal public engagements from May 1 to showcase completed and ongoing projects across the country.
“We’ll be talking to you to give us a date as we are embarking on engagement in each of the political zones to render the account of what Mr President has done on the roads and bridge sector,” he said.
Umahi commended Tinubu for his commitment to building durable infrastructure.
“In the past, we have been building roads, but today, President Bola Tinubu is constructing roads that will last between 50 and 100 years,” he said.
Kano State Governor Uba Sani, who represented President Tinubu at the event, described the Abuja-Kano highway as a vital economic link between the Federal Capital Territory and the northern region.
“The reconstruction of this road will undoubtedly bring the much-needed relief and development to our communities,” he said. “It will create job opportunities and boost security, transforming the socio-economic and political landscape of our region.”
The governor recalled his efforts as a senator to push for the project’s completion and praised the National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu, for improving security along the route.
“Motorists can now ply the road at any time of the day without fear of being attacked,” Sani added.
