Nigeria’s political contest ahead of the 2027 presidential election gained fresh momentum on Monday after the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, declared that no opposition candidate can match President Bola Tinubu’s achievements, particularly in the area of infrastructure development.
Umahi made the remarks while inspecting ongoing construction work at Kilometre 118 of Section One of the Calabar–Ebonyi–Benue–Kogi–Nasarawa–Abuja Superhighway in Ebonyi State.
According to the minister, the Tinubu administration’s extensive road projects are already changing the country’s transportation landscape and will strengthen the President’s chances when Nigerians head to the polls in 2027.
He described the Calabar–Ebonyi–Benue–Kogi–Nasarawa–Abuja Superhighway as one of the Federal Government’s flagship infrastructure projects, saying it is designed to transform connectivity across the South-South, South-East and North-Central regions while stimulating economic growth and making the movement of people and goods faster and easier.
Umahi said that once the superhighway is completed, travel time between Ebonyi State and Abuja will be reduced to approximately three hours.
He added that commuters travelling from the South-South to the Federal Capital Territory would also experience significantly shorter travel times, estimating that the journey could take about six hours after the completion of the road network.
The minister explained that the first section of the superhighway covers about 123.5 kilometres, stretching from Cross River State through Ebonyi State to the Benue boundary.
He further disclosed that the second section of the project, measuring about 168 kilometres, has already been awarded. According to him, that segment will pass through Benue State, parts of Enugu and Kogi states before terminating at Wote in Nasarawa State, where it will connect directly to Abuja.
Umahi said the highway is also expected to link with other ongoing federal road projects, including the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway and the Makurdi–Ninth Mile Road, creating what he described as a strategic transportation corridor capable of improving movement across different parts of Nigeria.
Speaking on the progress of construction, the minister commended the contractor, InfoQuest Nigeria Limited, for what he described as the quality and speed of work being carried out on the project.
He noted that construction activities are progressing simultaneously from different locations in order to accelerate completion.
According to him, work is currently advancing from both the Onueke axis and Iseke Junction, while additional construction teams are expected to commence earthworks on other sections of the alignment in the coming weeks.
Umahi also praised H-Link Construction Company for the ongoing Onueke Flyover project, describing the company’s performance as commendable despite delays in payment.
The minister further disclosed that the Federal Government has approved the rehabilitation of the worst seven-kilometre stretch of the 19-kilometre Edembe Road in Izzi Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
He said work on that project is expected to begin in August.
Umahi appealed to the Ebonyi State Government to assist in removing structures affected by the project’s right-of-way, particularly along the Enugu-Abakaliki Road corridor, to allow for the construction of dual carriageways and flyovers.
He expressed confidence that the state government would provide the required support, recalling that similar cooperation was received during the construction of the Onueke Flyover.
Responding to questions on whether completed sections of the superhighway would be opened to motorists before the entire project is completed, the minister said construction would continue simultaneously on different segments without disrupting overall progress.
He explained that the first carriageway is already under construction, while the second carriageway has been fully designed, adding that different engineering teams will continue working on various sections at the same time.
Turning to politics, Umahi dismissed criticisms from opposition politicians, insisting that the Tinubu administration’s infrastructure projects speak for themselves.
He argued that borrowing to finance critical infrastructure should be seen as an investment in Nigeria’s future rather than a burden, maintaining that improved transportation networks will drive economic growth, increase productivity and attract investment into different sectors of the economy.
According to the minister, legacy projects such as the Calabar–Abuja Superhighway, the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway and the Sokoto–Badagry Superhighway are expected to redefine Nigeria’s road infrastructure while strengthening national integration.
Commenting on criticisms by Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, Umahi defended the Federal Government’s infrastructure programme and maintained that the projects currently under construction would ultimately be judged by their long-term impact on Nigeria’s development.
He reiterated that the administration remains focused on delivering projects that will improve connectivity, expand economic opportunities and create lasting benefits for Nigerians, expressing confidence that the government’s performance in infrastructure will remain one of its strongest selling points ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
