By Joy Onu
The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has said the outcome of the recent governorship election in Ekiti State demonstrates growing public support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and expressed confidence that a similar verdict would be delivered in the 2027 presidential election.
The remarks were contained in a press statement signed by Francis Nwaze, Senior Special Assistant to the Minister of Works on Media, on Thursday, following a courtesy visit by Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, to the headquarters of the Federal Ministry of Works in Mabushi, Abuja, on Wednesday.
Congratulating Oyebanji on what he described as a resounding electoral victory, Umahi also congratulated President Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), saying the election reflected public approval of the administration’s infrastructure and development agenda.
“Let me congratulate you very highly, and then congratulate Mr. President and, by extension, our party, APC. It happened in Ekiti. It also happened in the off-cycle elections at the National Assembly across the country,” the minister said.
According to Umahi, the APC’s increasing electoral success is being driven by the Federal Government’s investment in road infrastructure and equitable distribution of development projects across the country.
He said President Tinubu’s administration was addressing road challenges in every part of Nigeria, adding that it was the first time infrastructure projects were being fairly distributed across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
“As it happened in Ekiti, so shall it happen for the President in 2027,” Umahi said.
The minister also assured the Ekiti governor that the newly approved Ado–Ijan–Ilumoba–Ikole Road project would be executed through a transparent procurement process, saying the successful contractor would emerge through due process while the state government would be kept informed to monitor the project.
Earlier, Oyebanji attributed the APC’s unprecedented governorship election victory in Ekiti State to President Tinubu’s intervention in critical road infrastructure and Umahi’s swift implementation of the President’s approvals.
He said the reconstruction of the Itawure–Aramoko–Ado Road fulfilled a long-standing demand after years of unfulfilled promises by previous administrations.
According to the governor, after he brought the issue to Umahi’s attention, the minister secured President Tinubu’s approval and contractors mobilised to the site within three weeks.
Oyebanji said the prompt commencement of work generated widespread appreciation for the President and significantly influenced the governorship election, with the APC winning all 16 local government areas, all wards and securing 85.6 per cent of the total votes cast.
He also said that after presenting his certificate of return to President Tinubu, the President approved the construction of the Ado–Ijan–Ilumoba–Ikole Road, describing it as a vital highway linking southern and northern parts of the country.
The governor said his visit to the ministry was to appreciate Umahi for his commitment to implementing the President’s directives and to convey the gratitude of Ekiti people to President Tinubu.
He described the Tinubu administration as the most impactful since the creation of Ekiti State, citing interventions in road infrastructure, agriculture and the health sector, and expressed confidence that the people of the state would continue to support the President.
