According to a report by the Guardian News on Sunday 24 August, 2025, with the 2027 polls creeping closer, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is stepping up efforts to woo voters in the Southeast, leaning heavily on major infrastructure projects as proof of his commitment to the region.
The president, who is seeking a second term, is showcasing key road contracts such as the Onitsha-Aba highway, the dualization of the Owerri-Aba and Enugu-Abakaliki roads, as well as the Calabar-Ebonyi-Benue-Nasarawa-Abuja route. According to him, these projects are signals that his administration is serious about spreading development evenly, and that four more years would deliver even greater benefits.
Represented by Minister of Works, Engr. Dave Umahi, Tinubu made the pitch during the golden jubilee celebration of the throne of Eze Dr. E.C. Okeke, traditional ruler of Amaifeke in Orlu LGA and chairman of the Imo State Council of Traditional Institutions. The event, held in Owerri, drew political leaders, traditional chiefs, and prominent figures across the region.
In a statement issued afterwards by his Special Adviser on Media, Uchenna Orji, the president urged the Southeast to view his administration’s policies and projects as an invitation to partnership. He stressed that the region has been included in his “Renewed Hope” agenda and should, in turn, rally behind him in 2027.
The statement quoted Tinubu as saying his government is committed to “inclusive economic prosperity for all sections of the nation.” He also lauded the monarch, describing him as a leader of integrity whose influence extends beyond Imo State to the wider Southeast and Nigeria as a whole.
Umahi, speaking on Tinubu’s behalf, highlighted ongoing works in the region, pointing to the Onitsha-Enugu road, the Enugu-Port Harcourt expressway, and other projects. He appealed directly for the support of the Southeast, framing it as a crucial pillar for sustaining what he called a new era of infrastructure growth.
Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State, who also addressed the gathering, used the occasion to commend the celebrant and align with Tinubu’s message. He noted that the traditional ruler has been a steady hand in leading Southeast traditional institutions, praising his humility and integrity. Uzodimma added that the governors of the region collectively celebrated his leadership and achievements.
The event, while ceremonial on the surface, doubled as a political stage-signaling that the contest for Southeast votes in 2027 is already underway, and Tinubu intends to anchor his case on roads, bridges, and promises of deeper inclusion.
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