By Stella Odueme
The Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, has called on Nigerians to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s second-term bid, citing the administration’s infrastructure drive, economic reforms and commitment to sustainable national development.
Umahi made the call during a town hall meeting at the Coronation Hall in Kano State, ahead of the commissioning of major road infrastructure projects on Wednesday.
He also commended Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf for his leadership, inclusive governance and efforts to promote peace, unity and development in the state.
The minister praised the cleanliness of Kano, describing it as a model of environmental sanitation and responsible governance.
“I am yet to see another State that is beating Kano in cleanliness. In all the streets we passed through, you could pick a pin,” Umahi said in a statement by the Director of Information and Public Relations, Mohammed A. Ahmed, on Wednesday.
He attributed the state's orderliness to purposeful leadership and effective utilisation of public resources, while applauding Yusuf for bringing together political leaders, former governors, prominent indigenes and other stakeholders.
Umahi described the governor's inclusive approach as a demonstration of mutual respect and commitment to the collective progress of Kano State.
He also advocated greater opportunities for engineers to occupy leadership positions, noting that their technical expertise, professional knowledge and problem-solving abilities could contribute to effective governance and infrastructure delivery.
The minister urged the people of Kano to continue supporting Yusuf, adding that his leadership style and development efforts deserved recognition.
He also reaffirmed the South-East's commitment to national unity and the Tinubu administration, dismissing perceptions that the region was politically opposed to the President.
On the Federal Government's economic reforms, Umahi described the removal of the petroleum subsidy and other policy decisions as difficult but necessary measures to reposition the economy for sustainable growth and prosperity.
According to him, the impact of the reforms is increasingly reflected in infrastructure projects and development initiatives across the country.
He urged Nigerians to remain patient and support the administration's policies, arguing that continuity in leadership would help consolidate the progress already recorded.
“The worst is over. The darkest part of the morning is the dawn. We are moving into prosperity as a result of the hard decisions occasioned by the reforms,” he said.
Umahi called on Nigerians to support Tinubu and Yusuf for second terms, stressing that continuity would sustain infrastructure development, strengthen national unity and consolidate the gains of ongoing economic reforms.
He also expressed appreciation for the peaceful atmosphere, cleanliness and unity he witnessed in Kano, saying the experience had positively influenced his perception of the state.
Earlier, Governor Yusuf thanked the Federal Government for its infrastructure interventions, particularly road projects expected to improve transportation, connectivity and economic activities in Kano and the North-West region.
The governor highlighted the scheduled commissioning of outstanding works on Section I, Lot 1 of the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano Expressway, covering the Zaria-Kano axis, as a significant milestone in Nigeria's infrastructure development.
He said the project demonstrated the Federal Government's commitment to improving road transportation and facilitating economic activities.
Yusuf also expressed gratitude to Tinubu for the infrastructure projects and other support extended to Kano State, while expressing optimism about a successful commissioning ceremony.
The Federal Ministry of Works reaffirmed its commitment to delivering durable, safe and quality road infrastructure across the country in line with the Federal Government's Renewed Hope Agenda.