Coalition can’t stop Tinubu’s re-election, says Umahi

The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has berated the opposition figures planning a coalition to unseat President Bola Tinubu in 2027, asserting that their efforts would end in failure.

Contrary to doomsayers, Umahi said the recent Fitch ratings were evidence that the reforms of Tinubu’s administration are yielding positive results.

The recently released Fitch Ratings portrayed a stable outlook as Nigeria recorded an upgrade in Nigeria’s Long-Term Foreign-Currency Issuer Default Rating to ‘B’, from ‘B-’.

Umahi spoke on Sunday during the flag-off of the 282km reconstruction of the Abuja-Kano road, awarded at a total cost of N777bn, with a 14-month completion timeline.

Declaring that “the worst is over,” Umahi said the opposition only engaged in cheap talk devoid of advancing alternate options.

He said, “Let me advise the so-called coalition or opposition. When you are in opposition, you are doing constructive opposition, not destructive ones. 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. Opposition is to provide alternatives. I have never seen any opposition providing an alternative over anything. But I want to thank God for the President.

“The Fitch financial institution, just a few days ago, said the reforms of Mr President are working. They say Nigeria, financially, is upgraded. The World Bank also said so. So, who is the opposition that darkens counsel without knowledge? Nigeria is working. The worst is over. God is with us and will take us to the promised land. Those in support, say Amen.”

Declaring himself a prophet, Umahi said Tinubu had performed exceedingly well and would secure a second term in office.

“And I want to assure you my governor, that I am also a prophet. It was only David who was a prophet and priest and God has told me that President Bola Tinubu will do eight years; Governor Uba Sani will do eight years,” he said.

To showcase the strides of the present administration, Umahi said his ministry will, from May 1, begin zone-to-zone engagement to inform Nigerians of the roads and bridges done since the inception of the Tinubu government.

“I thank the President for all, a President that is committed to ensuring that all our roads are taken back and reconstructed. In the past, we have been building roads, but today, President Bola Tinubu is constructing roads that will last between 50 and 100 years, with no maintenance roads.

 “Finally, Mr Governor, from the 1st of May, 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 for the entire nation,” Umahi added.

Speaking at the event on behalf of President Tinubu, Kano State Governor, Uba Sani, described the road as a major artery linking the Federal Capital Territory to the northern states.

“The reconstruction of this road will undoubtedly bring the much-needed relief and development to our communities. It will create job opportunities and boost security, transforming the socio-economic and political landscape of our region,” he said.

At the event, which took place at Jere in the Kagarko Local Government Area on Sunday, the governor lamented that the people had watched helplessly as the road’s condition worsened over the years.

“As a senator, I had pushed for the road’s completion, mobilising fellow lawmakers, organising a town hall meeting, and engaging directly with President Tinubu,” he recalled.

The governor credited the National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu, for stabilising the security situation along the route through effective coordination of security agencies and the implementation of the Kaduna Peace Model.

“With the non-kinetic approach of tackling insecurity bearing fruit, motorists can now ply the road at any time of the day without fear of being attacked,” he said.