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The Minister of Works, Sen. David Nweze Umahi, has called on Nigerians to support President Bola Tinubu’s second-term ambition, saying the administration’s infrastructure development drive and economic reforms deserve recognition and continuity.
Umahi made the call on Tuesday during a town hall meeting at the Coronation Hall in Kano State, ahead of the commissioning of major road infrastructure projects scheduled for Wednesday, October 21, 2026.
He urged Nigerians to remain patient with the Federal Government’s economic policies, particularly the removal of petroleum subsidy, which he described as difficult but necessary decisions aimed at repositioning the economy for sustainable growth and prosperity.
According to the minister, the benefits of the reforms are increasingly becoming evident through infrastructure projects and other development initiatives being implemented across the country.
“The worst is over. The darkest part of the morning is the dawn. We are moving into prosperity as a result of the hard decisions occasioned by the reforms,” Umahi said.
He maintained that continuity in leadership would enable the administration to consolidate its achievements, sustain ongoing infrastructure projects and strengthen the country’s economic recovery.
The minister also called on the people of Kano State to support Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf for a second term, commending his leadership style, inclusiveness and efforts to promote peace, unity and development.
Umahi particularly praised the cleanliness of Kano, describing the state as an example of the environmental sanitation standards and responsible governance expected across the country.
“I am yet to see another state that is beating Kano in cleanliness. In all the streets we passed through, you could pick a pin,” he said.
He attributed the level of cleanliness and orderliness in the state to purposeful leadership and the effective deployment of public resources for the benefit of residents.
The minister also commended Yusuf for bringing together political leaders, former governors, prominent indigenes and other stakeholders, describing the initiative as evidence of mutual respect, political accommodation and a commitment to the collective progress of the state.
He urged the governor to sustain the inclusive approach to governance, noting that leadership that promotes unity and cooperation deserves recognition and support from the people.
Umahi further advocated greater opportunities for engineers to occupy leadership positions in government, arguing that their technical expertise, professional knowledge and problem-solving abilities could contribute significantly to effective governance and infrastructure delivery.
He said engineers possessed the practical skills and analytical capacity required to address complex developmental challenges, particularly in the construction and maintenance of critical national infrastructure.
The minister also reaffirmed the South-East’s commitment to national unity and the Tinubu administration, dismissing perceptions that the geopolitical zone was politically opposed to the President.
He called for stronger national cooperation across political and regional divides, stressing that infrastructure development and economic progress required collective commitment from Nigerians.
Umahi urged residents of Kano State and Nigerians generally to support Tinubu and Yusuf for second terms, arguing that continuity in leadership would help sustain development projects, strengthen national cohesion and consolidate the gains of ongoing economic reforms.
The minister also expressed appreciation for the peaceful atmosphere, cleanliness and unity he observed during his visit to Kano, disclosing that the experience had positively influenced his perception of the state and encouraged him to reconsider his departure date.
Earlier, Governor Yusuf expressed appreciation to the Federal Government for its commitment to infrastructure development and the road projects being executed to improve transportation, economic activities and connectivity in Kano State and the North-West geopolitical zone.
He described the projects as important interventions that would facilitate the movement of people and goods, improve access to markets and strengthen economic activities across the region.
Yusuf particularly highlighted the scheduled commissioning of the outstanding works on Section I, Lot 1, of the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano Expressway, covering the Zaria-Kano stretch.
He described the project as an important milestone in Nigeria’s infrastructure development efforts and a demonstration of the Federal Government’s commitment to improving road transportation.
The governor noted that quality road infrastructure remained essential to economic growth, given its role in facilitating trade, reducing transportation difficulties and connecting communities.
He expressed gratitude to Tinubu for the infrastructure interventions and other support extended to Kano State, while expressing optimism that the commissioning ceremony would be successful.
The road project is expected to contribute to improved connectivity along a major transportation corridor linking parts of the North-West with the Federal Capital Territory and other parts of the country.
The Federal Ministry of Works reiterated its commitment to delivering durable, safe and quality road infrastructure nationwide in furtherance of the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
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