The Minister of Works, Sen. Dave Umahi, has strongly refuted claims by Sen. Rabiu Kwankwaso that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration is marginalizing the North in road infrastructure development. In a detailed statement issued on Friday, Umahi labeled Kwankwaso’s remarks as “absolutely false, misleading, and self-serving,” accusing the former Kano governor of attempting to sow division for political gain.
Umahi challenged Kwankwaso’s assertion that Tinubu’s administration prioritizes road development in the South over the North, presenting data to highlight the equitable distribution of projects across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones. “President Tinubu is a fair leader committed to developing every part of this country with fairness, equity, and the fear of God,” Umahi declared, emphasizing that the North, particularly the North West, has received significant attention in ongoing road projects.
The minister outlined four flagship infrastructure projects under Tinubu’s administration to counter Kwankwaso’s claims. The Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway, spanning 1,068 km, has 378 km under construction in the North, equivalent to 756 km of three-lane roads. In contrast, the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, covering 750 km, has 175 km ongoing in the South, equivalent to 350 km of three-lane roads. The Trans-Sahara road (465 km) and the Akwanga-Jos-Bauchi-Gombe road (439 km) further balance the distribution, with the North accounting for 52% of these legacy projects compared to 48% in the South.
“Sen. Kwankwaso is not fair to Mr. President and the unity of our country,” Umahi stated, pointing out that Kebbi alone has 316 km of three-lane roads under construction, surpassing the 220 km in Lagos. He added, “The facts are clear, yet some focus only on the Lagos-Calabar project to push a divisive narrative.”
Umahi also highlighted major ongoing projects in the North, including the 275 km Sokoto-Zamfara-Katsina-Kaduna road (costing ₦824 billion), the 350 km Abuja-Kaduna-Kano road (₦764 billion), and the 250 km Benue to 9th Mile road (₦958 million). In the South, projects like the Enugu-Onitsha road (₦352 billion combined for two sections), the Eleme-Onne road (₦156 billion), and the Bodo-Bonny road (₦200 billion) demonstrate Tinubu’s commitment to nationwide development.
The minister noted that 80% of these projects were inherited from the previous administration, with many awarded in 2023 but left unfunded. “President Tinubu could have abandoned them, but he chose to fund their completion,” Umahi said. “If he had, the same critics would accuse him of neglect.”
Addressing concerns in the South West, Umahi acknowledged pressure to repair critical infrastructure like the Third Mainland and Carter bridges, which face structural defects. “These are vital economic corridors connecting the South and North, and their deterioration could have severe consequences,” he warned, noting his appeals to Tinubu for additional funding.
Umahi also revealed that in the inherited NNPCL Tax Credit road projects, the North holds 53% of the allocation, while the South has 47%, with the South East and South West receiving only 4% and 5%, respectively. “Mr. President has not complained about this imbalance but continues to fund all projects fairly,” he said.
Calling for unity, Umahi urged Nigerians to disregard Kwankwaso’s claims. “Some political leaders make statements to deceive and gain favor, but we must focus on uniting the country,” he said. He demanded an apology from Kwankwaso, stating, “You owe President Tinubu and Nigerians the duty to withdraw your misleading statement.”
Umahi promised to release a comprehensive list of all inherited and ongoing projects next week to set the record straight. “I am ready to debate anyone on this matter to ensure transparency,” he concluded, reaffirming Tinubu’s commitment to equitable national development.