Umahi has Worked More than Obi for Southeast, Says Francis

Valentine Obienyem in his article titled “Dave Umahi and Incestuous Reasoning” praises Peter Obi as a model while offering no proof of what he delivered for Ebonyians or Ndigbo. That is the arithmetic of selective inclusion: Obi receives the credit for emptiness; Umahi receives the insults for the result delivered.
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Beneath the rhetoric is a simple question he has refused to answer: What did Obi do for Ebonyians and the wider Igbo community that makes him the standard by which Umahi must be judged, or the candidate they should be expected to support?

However, I agree with some of his comments, especially when he said that Obi happened by circumstances. I feel this is truly the finger of God speaking through him. If not, what else could anyone say the phenomenon around Obi was about, if not the accident of EndSARS?

There is a saying that if one does not know where to place his hand, he holds his knees. That is exactly what happened with Obi and Obidients.

Now, the masses have seen what they consider the emptiness in all the struggles, the fake life, the false, the emptiness of promises and the contradictions in many of his speeches. The anger is that the truth is now becoming visible to many, and the rejection of Obi by those who have seen the light of day is becoming clearer. I understand his pain.

Obienyem begins by protesting that the Obidients do not attack people merely for opposing Peter Obi. But why make that defence unless the charge has a basis? His own words confirm the very conduct he tries to excuse. Attacks happen, he says, when they decide who to attack.

In other words, Obi’s supporters decide which disagreement deserves punishment. What a distasteful confirmation. A group that cannot tolerate opposition without branding its critics enemies of reason is not above reproach; it is simply a political attack dog. We are pleased to get your confirmation.

For clarification, let me mention and confirm that what Umahi said was that Ebonyi State would not vote for Peter Obi because he would not win. This does not exclude Ebonyi State from the Southeast.

He was particular about Ebonyi State because he was addressing Ebonyians at the time of his visit to the state, especially concerning the treatment meted out to Ebonyians living in Anambra State and the discrimination against them during Obi’s tenure as Governor, as well as Obi’s silence when major issues and struggles, such as the renaming of Abakaliki Street, were being discussed.

On several occasions, Umahi has told the people of the Southeast to utilise their votes and not waste them on Obi’s political venture, which will eventually fail. That is his advice and those are the words of wisdom which I equally encourage Obienyem to consider by looking inward, being realistic and possibly towing the same line.

I took time to go through his poorly constructed write-up to see whether he was able to mention Obi’s inclusiveness of Ebonyians in his cabinet or leadership circle. I was disappointed when I discovered that he was only able to mention that some of Obi’s security details were from Ebonyi State. What a disappointment.

It only confirms Umahi’s argument that the people of Ebonyi State were taken for granted, except when it came to security personnel who were naturally posted to serve their country in Anambra State. He could have equally mentioned that they were his house helps, but I understand his pain.

The reality today is that such an arrangement is no longer enough for Ebonyi State. The state has moved forward in pursuit of its own development and is not waiting for him and their ill plots.

Can he confirm whether people from Ebonyi State occupied or held any serious positions in Anambra State during Obi’s tenure as Governor, just as was the case during Umahi’s tenure in Ebonyi State?

Umahi’s record is easier to name.
Anambra-born Charles Emeka Akpuenika served as Ebonyi Commissioner for Youths and Sports. Rose Ezeadikwa served with the State Universal Basic Education Board. Mr. Chinaco Nzeakor was Special Assistant to the Governor on Internal Security. Rev. Euphraim Ononye served as Chairman of the Ebonyi State Pilgrims Board, while Uchem Oka was a Technical Assistant to the Governor.

These were people from Anambra who served in Umahi’s administration during his time as Governor.

That is the contrast Obienyem avoids. He praises Obi’s with anecdotes but does not produce a comparable list of Ebonyians appointed to meaningful roles under Obi.

I also want to agree with him when he said:

“In a breathless rush to make Ebonyi outpace its peers, he (Umahi) engaged in ‘vanity’ projects…”

Those words are correct, but perhaps not in the way he intended them, though with a mix of his attack-dog mentality.

He understands that Umahi was in a hurry to develop Ebonyi State while serving as Governor. Obi, on the other hand, took the opposite approach in Anambra. He can make his own assessment of the consequences, including the argument that funds that could have been used for development were kept idle while the state incurred debts and contractors were issued postdated cheques. All thanks to the leaders who came after him, who have continued to do everything possible to move Anambra forward.

Ibadan-Ijebu Ode

Let me tell him a little about how Umahi transformed Ebonyi State and pursued his aim of moving the state ahead of its peers. Umahi embarked on the construction of 14 twin flyovers at strategic locations, each of which was valued at between ₦1.8 billion and ₦2.5 billion at the time. This is something you should verify for yourself. Today, those same flyovers, if reconstructed at current costs, would cost between N15 billion and N30 billion. Many were achieved through direct labour. This is part of Umahi’s record. This is how he saved money for Ebonyians. This is the development we are talking about.

When he built the David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences, the same philosophy was applied: achieving major projects with limited resources. Then there is the airport, which is at the stage of recommencing commercial flights. There is the Ebonyi State International Shopping Mall. There is the introduction of concrete roads across Ebonyi State, which has helped reduce the burden of road reconstruction on the current administration. These are just a few examples.

It does not appear that he did enough research before writing about Umahi. He need to go back and verify these things before attempting to speak about his record.

Yes, I remember that he earlier classified the Obidients as “attack dogs.” That was an interesting read.

In the Southeast, he should also acknowledge what Umahi has done through the instrumentality of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, particularly in the transformation of federal roads across the region. He is focused on deliberately connecting the Southeast to the Centre.

I am certain that it gives him some satisfaction when travelling from Enugu to Onitsha, both at night and during the day, and see the solar lights, the tree planting, the reinforced concrete pavement and the CCTV infrastructure underway. Yet he chose not to mention these in his write-up. Why?

The Enugu-Port Harcourt Road, the Eke-Obinagu Flyover, the access roads to the Second Niger Bridge, the repair and reconstruction of the First Niger Bridge and, very importantly, the Calabar-Ebonyi-Enugu-Benue-Nasarawa-Abuja Superhighway are all part of the infrastructure transformation currently taking place in Igboland courtesy of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu through Umahi. These are tangible projects. They are visible. They are projects people can see, feel and touch.

So, the question remains: What has Obi done for the people of the Southeast that should make them abandon what they are seeing and experiencing for something they have not seen? What has he done that is comparable to the visible and tangible infrastructure now being delivered in the region? That is the question he should answer.

David Umahi has served as Deputy Governor of Ebonyi State, Governor of Ebonyi State, Chairman of the South-East Governors’ Forum, Senator representing Ebonyi South and, today, Nigeria’s Minister of Works.

Peter Obi’s principal record in elected office is his tenure as Governor of Anambra State, he is not close to the breadth of Umahi’s political and public-service experience and result, particularly with Umahi now responsible for Nigeria’s works portfolio.

The references to Umahi’s family and to Mary Habila’s death do not provide the needed answers to the question asked.

Habila’s death has been publicly discussed, and her parents also spoke about her health condition while she was alive. It should not be turned into a political prop.

By using such words as “Judas,” “mad dog,” “crude” and “nonsense,” Obienyem has confirmed himself as an attack dog. Those are not arguments; they are personal attacks. What a distasteful confirmation.

The comparison remains clear. Umahi has demonstrated an approach to public service that has included people from different parts of the Southeast, infrastructure development in Ebonyi, regional leadership through the Southeast Governors’ Forum, representation in the Senate and, now, responsibility for a federal ministry whose projects reach across the Southeast and the country.

Obi offers a security detail, a palliative tour and private anecdotes, then asks the public to accept him as a champion. What a joke.

That is not enough. What has Obi done for the people of the Southeast to warrant support for him over President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, whose administration’s projects are visible across the region and whose public record is open to examination? Where are the durable, region-wide results? Where are the institutions and projects that demonstrate his impact across Igboland?

Umahi’s advice to Ebonyians is a political judgment and a call to use their votes according to their own interests and for the benefit of the people of the Southeast.

Ebonyi people have risen and are committed to President Tinubu through Umahi.

Francis Nwaze, FIPMD
Senior Special Assistant to the Honourable Minister of Works (Media)
Southeast Zonal Coordinator, New Media
2027 Tinubu/Shettima Presidential Campaign Council.
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NPF, NVMA Sets to Strengthen Partnership for Public Safety

Today 29th September 2026, at the Force Headquarters, Abuja, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, received a delegation of the Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association (NVMA), led by its President, Dr Moses Arokoyo.
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The conversation was about how the veterinary profession and the Nigeria Police Force can work more closely together. Here is what came out of it:

Stronger ties between the Police Veterinary Services and the NVMA

Professional input from the Association to improve Police veterinary facilities and support our Canine units and Mounted Troops

NVMA

Continued work with international partners to upgrade the Police Veterinary Laboratory
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Wike Promises Abuja Residents Road Projects as Tinubu’s Christmas Gift

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has promised to deliver ongoing road projects in Abuja by December, describing them as a Christmas gift from President Bola Tinubu to residents.
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Wike made the promise in Abuja on Tuesday after inspecting ongoing construction works on Arterial Road NI, from Wuye to Ring Road II; Tungan Madaki to Zuba Road; and Zaudna-Kaba-Kagini to the Kubwa Expressway.

This was disclosed in a statement posted on X by the minister’s aide, Lere Olayinka.

Speaking after assessing the pace and quality of the projects, Wike expressed satisfaction with the progress of work and commended the contractors for their commitment to meeting the completion timelines.

“I’m very impressed with the jobs so far, and I’m also impressed with the commitment of the contractors.

“We have promised the residents that this will be their Christmas gift by Mr President as part of their Christmas gift so that they’ll go back home and enjoy their Christmas celebration.

“You can imagine the happiness of those who stay here. You know that with these roads the economy of the affected communities will change,” he said.

Wike said the completion of the roads would ease transportation difficulties and boost economic activities in the affected communities.

“When you see a rural area like this, it makes us very happy when the people are happy and of course, that’s the essence of good governance,” Wike added.

The minister acknowledged that rainfall had slowed some earthworks but expressed confidence that the contractors would accelerate construction as the rainy season subsided.

“I believe that from the first week of October, the rains will not be much again, and you will see how they will continue with earthworks,” he said.

Wike also urged residents to support Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election and back former FCT minister, Philip Aduda, for the Senate.

Addressing residents of Tungan Shanu village along the Tungan Madaki to Zuba Road corridor, Wike said, “We will push the contractor to deliver the road by December so that you’ll be happy. That is what the President is doing for you.

“The president said this road will be a Christmas gift for all of you. So, when the election comes too, don’t forget to vote for Tinubu and Aduda,” he said.

Speaking to residents of Kaba along the Kagini to Kubwa Expressway corridor, the minister said, “I’m happy that you people are happy that this road will be completed in December.

Wike

“I came here with the man that will represent you well in the Senate and that is Sen. Philip Aduda. He’s the one who will connect you directly with Tinubu.

“So, I hope all of you will vote for Tinubu and Aduda.”

Wike has repeatedly declared his support for Tinubu’s re-election in 2027, while saying the Rainbow Coalition he supports is focused on mobilising support for the President.
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