55 Years of Neglect: Tinubu Is Reintegrating the Southeast — Says Umahi

By Nabob Ogbonna, Abakaliki

The Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, on Sunday stated that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is actively reintegrating the Southeast into Nigeria’s political and infrastructural framework after 55 years of marginalization following the Nigeria-Biafra civil war.

Speaking in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital, during the 2025 Eid al-Kabir celebration with Muslim communities, Umahi noted  that the Tinubu administration has made the federal presence more visible across the five Southeastern states,both in terms of infrastructure and appointments.

“We lost political ground in the past due to the aftermath of the civil war, but this government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is bringing us back,”  “It’s not perfect yet, but we are no longer being left behind. That progress must be acknowledged, and we must support the President.”Umahi said.

Highlighting the contrast with previous administrations, Umahi noted that many Southeast states had been excluded from federal projects and appointments. “Today, federal presence is visibly spread across the region. That is true national reintegration of Ndigbo under President Tinubu’s leadership,” he added.

Umahi, a former governor of Ebonyi State, urged Southeasterners to reject divisive rhetoric and instead pursue constructive engagement with the federal government to secure more benefits for the region.

“The Southeast must learn to count one before counting two. We need reintegration, not isolation. President Tinubu has initiated this process—we must not squander the opportunity.

“And betraying such a man is tantamount to betraying the Nigerian people. I serve both God and the President with the fear of God,” he stated.

Addressing the Muslim community in attendance, the Minister underscored that the core foundation of all religions is love.

 He encouraged Nigerians to focus more on shared values than religious or ethnic differences.

“The relationship among different faiths in Nigeria today is far better than it was in the past,” Umahi observed. “It surprised many Christians when the President led a Nigerian delegation to the Pope’s inauguration. That was a unique and historic gesture a true symbol of mutual respect. We all serve one God in different ways. Both Muslims and Christians preach love and the fear of God.”he stated.

Responding to earlier concerns about the Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket, Umahi argued that the religious composition of current federal appointments reflects genuine inclusiveness.

“Under President Tinubu, Christians hold about 62% of federal appointments, while Muslims hold about 38%. That is a practical demonstration of national cohesion,” he explained.

As part of the celebration, Umahi distributed 50kg bags of rice, food items, and cash to over 1,000 Muslim men and women who attended the Eid al-Kabir event organized by his office.