Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, emphasized on Sunday that the Igbo community in the Southeast has no grounds to participate in protests against the Bola Tinubu administration. Speaking during an interactive session with journalists at his residence in Uburu, Ebonyi state, Umahi highlighted Tinubu’s achievements in addressing persistent farmers/herders clashes in the region, a factor contributing to insecurity and hindering food production.
Umahi acknowledged that the nation’s high cost of living was a consequence of past administrations but commended President Tinubu for initiating policies and programs to address these issues. The minister pointed out that the Southeast had been favorably considered by the Tinubu administration, with the appointment of Igbo individuals to key positions, including his own role as the first Minister of Works from the Igbo extraction.
According to Umahi, various projects have been undertaken in the Southeast, providing no moral justification for the region to join nationwide protests against the President due to hardships. He urged the people not to be swayed by external influences and cautioned against aligning with groups advocating protest.
Regarding recent protests by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) against current challenges in the country, Umahi deemed them “unhealthy and unreasonable,” emphasizing the need for patriotism among the populace. He pointed out that the prevailing hunger and hardships were not sudden developments, attributing them to longstanding issues such as insecurity and farmers/herders clashes, which the President is working to resolve.
Umahi urged patience, recognizing that solving deeply rooted problems takes time and effort. He highlighted the decline in insecurity across the country, expressing confidence that as the situation improves, farmers can resume work, eventually alleviating hunger. Despite acknowledging existing challenges, Umahi urged Nigerians to understand the positive intentions of President Tinubu and emphasized that the Southeast had no valid reason to partake in protests against the administration.
