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UMAHI’S DRIVE IN WORKS SECTOR AND THE DELIVERY OF RENEWED HOPE AGENDA
By; Vitalis Obidiaghaa
Briefing the Press after the Federal Executive Council meeting presided over by President Bola Tinubu at the State House, Abuja, on Monday, 26th February, 2024, the Minister of Works, Senator Dave Umahi, announced that Nigeria’s Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved a N1.06 trillion contract for the construction of the first phase of the coastal road from Lagos to Calabar. Senator Umahi, who disclosed this to newsmen, explained that the phase is part the 700 kilometer road spanning nine states and with two spurs leading to the Northern states. According to him, FEC approved the fund for the first phase made of the 47.47 kilometers dual carriage way to be constructed with concrete, having five lanes on each side and a train track in the middle.
In his words: “Today, we had the approval of FEC for the construction of 700 kilometer of coastal routes running from Lagos through the nine coastal routes or states up to Cross River; meaning that it goes through Lagos; the Lekki Deep Seaport, Ogun state, Ondo State, Delta, Bayelsa, Port Harcourt and Akwa Ibom. But we also have two spurs that leads to the North, from the ongoing Badagry-Sokoto route and the one that leads to the Trans-Sahara route that goes from Ogoja down to Cameroon. Now, it is a dual carriage way. And each carriage way has five lanes and a provision for a train infrastructure that will be at the middle.”
The above development, which has earned Mr. president the commendation of well-meaning Nigerians, signifies Senator Umahi’s quest to use his expertise as a thoroughbred structural engineer to transform Nigeria’s road infrastructure, easing the pains that Nigerians have gone through over the years, due to poor road networks. This becomes even more encouraging when one considers the strategic importance of that coastal route to Nigeria’s economy, especially as it serves as a linkage between the South-West and the South-South economic corridors within our nation.
The significance of this project will be better appreciated when one considers the fact that one of the key indicators for measuring a nation’s developmental quest is to examine the effort such nation makes towards her infrastructural development. This is predicated on the fact that a good road network, apart from providing comfort for the travelling public, also serves as a vital catalyst for sundry economic activities. And every informed, mind who means well for our nation, will agree to the fact that the coastal route, just like many other strategic routes within our shores, holds so much promise for our nation’s economic rejuvenation.
That, perhaps, explains why Mr. President stated during his campaign, that his intention was to “modernise and expand public infrastructure so that the rest of the economy can grow at an optimal rate,” —a promise he is now determined to fulfill by the activities of Senator Umahi, the honourable minister of works. And if one rises beyond sentiments, and judges by the series of activities carried out by Umahi ever since he assumed office as the Minister of Works, one would agree to the fact that he came with a high level of determination to make a difference towards transforming Nigeria’s road infrastructure. This can be seen, not only through his words and ambitious project plans, but also in his profound understanding of how to navigate the associated challenges that come with such ambitious projects. An example of such scenario is the case of this coastal road from Lagos to Calabar.
Recall that FEC had on the 30th of October, 2023, approved that the Lagos to Calabar coastal road be procured under (EPC+) Engineering, Procurement, Construction and Financing in favour of High-Tech Construction African limited, which means that the company was supposed to search for the funding. And they have already started searching for the funding, but there are hitches here and there. And in his proactive quest to ensure the success of this ambitious project, the Minister thought it wise to seek for the understanding and intervention of Mr President towards fast-tracking the project and Mr. President gave his consent.
Umahi’s passionate words to Mr. President were as follows: “Since this project was going to be procured in two phases and multiple sections, can we get the Federal Government to fund the phase one, which is 47.47 kilometers, running from Ahmadu Bello in Lagos down to Lekki Deep Seaport?” and Mr. President graciously approved. Speaking further, the Minister stated that “we also have the challenge of a lot of infrastructure on the road corridor. So, we requested Mr. President to approve that we realign the road, so that we move closer to the ocean shore, and then avoid those properties which could lead to litigation. And Mr. President also approved. But then, that led to a new challenge. And the challenge is the need to start the project as quickly as possible as to protect, you know, the communities along the corridor. So today, we have procured the first section, which is 47.47 kilometers, under 10 lanes and FEC graciously approved the contract for N1.067 trillion with no objection.”
The above good news and the commendations that it has generated so far do not come as a surprise to those who have followed Senator Umahi’s determined efforts towards the transformation of Nigeria’s road infrastructure ever since he resumed duty as the Minister of Works, it resonates deeply with the aspirations of many Nigerians who rejoiced when Mr. President gave him that important responsibility. Those who have followed his activities closely can attest to the fact that he is determined to ensure that the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr President becomes a reality through the delivery of quality road infrastructure in Nigeria.
Speaking during one of his meetings with the project stakeholders in Lagos, Umahi stated that “the Lagos-Port Harcourt-Calabar Coastal Highway is the first of its kind in the whole of Africa, and it is quite innovative as it shows that the giant of Africa is beginning to show her prowess and this is being revitalized by the captain of the ship, His Excellency, President Bola Tinubu. So, this is very beautiful. Another good news is that this project is going to be built on a concrete road of 11 inches thick with 20-millimeter reinforcement.”
For those who believe in the unfolding greatness of the Nigerian nation and the determination of the present administration to live up to the truest potential of the Nigerian nation, these words from Senator Umahi and his drive to make a difference reassure Nigerians of the steadfastness of the Renewed Hope Agenda. That is why he deserves the support of all Nigerians.
The All Progressives Congress has confirmed that it plans to adopt a consensus approach for selecting its national leadership during the party’s convention scheduled for March 27–28, 2026, in Abuja.
The Assistant Secretary for Media and Publicity for the APC National Convention 2026, Mary Ikoku, disclosed the plan during an interview on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Wednesday.
On the issue of elective positions during primaries, Ikoku said the party had not yet decided how these would be handled, noting that decisions may vary depending on local political dynamics.
She explained, “APC, for this convention, I am aware and can say that the party is adopting consensus for this convention. As to whether they are adopting consensus for elective positions, I do not have an answer to that because politics is local.
“So, I believe that, at the end of the day, when it comes to the issue of elective positions, the persons who would emerge aren’t often what you would want to make consensus in every space.”
Ikoku also addressed the Electoral Act’s provisions, which require political parties to register members online within a specified timeframe and outline acceptable methods for candidate selection.
She said these requirements posed challenges for some parties but reflected preparedness—or the lack thereof.
“We have an electoral law that defines the models for these elections. Direct primaries and consensus have been allowed, while indirect primaries have been taken out.
“That is the current law of the nation, passed and assented to. Now, why do you think other political parties will have issues with that?” she asked.
“That would be to say there are levels of unpreparedness of these political parties. Any political party that is worth its salt should not wait till election season to start preparing for the run for office and all of these congresses.
“It is something they would have planned ahead of time. So, when you are not proactive as a party, these kinds of situations can challenge you deeply,” she added.
Ahead of the convention, the party began screening aspirants for key positions in its National Working Committee , including National Chairman aspirant Nentawe Yilwatda and National Secretary hopeful Ajibola Basiru.
Other NWC members seeking to retain their posts include National Youth Leader Dayo Israel, Deputy National Chairman (North) Ali Bukar Dalori, National Legal Adviser Abdulkarim Abubakar Kana, National Woman Leader Mary Alile Idele, and National Publicity Secretary Felix Morka, among others.
Security presence surged around the Federal High Court in Kaduna on Tuesday as operatives from multiple agencies were deployed ahead of the arraignment of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, over alleged corruption-related offences.
By about 7:00 a.m., heavily armed personnel of the Department of State Services, Nigeria Police Force, Mobile Police Force, and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps had taken positions at strategic locations leading to the court complex situated within the old Nigerian Defence Academy area.
Access roads to the venue witnessed restrictions, forcing vehicles into a single lane from the Ungwan Sarki axis through Kawo and triggering early morning gridlock.
The heavy security followed a prior notice by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission that it would arraign El-Rufai on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, before the Federal High Court sitting in Kaduna.
In a statement issued by its Head of Media and Public Communications, John Odey, the commission said the former governor would be docked alongside one Joel Adoga in suit number FHC/KD/73/2026.
The agency explained that the charges against the defendants include alleged conversion, unlawful possession of public property, and money laundering.
“The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission is set to arraign the former Governor of Kaduna State, Malam Nasir El-Rufa’i, and one Joel Adoga at the Federal High Court of Nigeria in the Kaduna Judicial Division on Tuesday, March 24, 2026. The charges range from conversion of and possession of public property to money laundering,” the statement read.
It further disclosed that another case, marked KDH/KAD/ICPC/01/26, had been instituted against El-Rufai and one Amadu Sule before a Kaduna State High Court.
According to the commission, the state charges border on abuse of office, fraud, intent to commit fraud, and conferring undue advantage.
“Similarly, another charge against Malam Nasir El-Rufa’i and one Amadu Sule has been filed before a Kaduna State High Court in the Kaduna Judicial Division. The charges range from abuse of office and fraud to intent to commit fraud and conferring undue advantage, among others,” the statement added.
The ICPC said both cases were filed on March 18, 2026, adding that a date for arraignment in the state court would be announced later.
It also insisted that El-Rufai had been properly served, stressing its adherence to due process and the rule of law.
The development came amid growing pressure from stakeholders, including the African Democratic Congress, which called for his immediate release or arraignment, describing his continued detention without formal charges as unconstitutional.
In the same vein, the Muslim Rights Concern criticised his prolonged detention, while members of his family also alleged a breach of his fundamental rights.
El-Rufai was first arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on February 16, 2026, granted bail two days later, and subsequently re-arrested by the ICPC.
He has remained in the custody of the anti-graft agency since then, pending his arraignment.
Senator Ifeanyi Araraume, a prominent chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has extended warm felicitations to Muslims in Nigeria and across the globe on the joyous occasion of Eid-el-Fitr.
In a statement to mark the end of Ramadan, Araraume highlighted the significance of the month long period of spiritual reflection, fasting, and devotion. “As Muslims gather with loved ones to share in the festivities, I join in the cheer, wishing everyone a blessed and peaceful Eid,” he said.
The Senator expressed profound appreciation to Muslim Nigerians for their contributions to the nation’s growth, describing their faith, resilience, and patriotism as beacons of hope. “Your unwavering commitment to Nigeria’s progress is truly commendable,” he stated.
As the country navigates its current challenges, Araraume called for unity, understanding, and collective effort. “Let us embrace the spirit of Eid, forgiveness, generosity, and kindness, to build a brighter future for ourselves and generations to come,” he urged.
Araraume also extended solidarity to President Bola Tinubu, a distinguished Muslim and the leader of APC, praising his visionary leadership and dedication to nation building. “President Tinubu’s commitment to serving Nigeria has been exemplary, and we assure him of our continued support,” he said.
Reaffirming the APC’s commitment to national prosperity, Araraume emphasized that the values of compassion, unity, and progress embodied by Eid align deeply with the party’s ethos. “As we mark this occasion, we reaffirm our dedication to creating a Nigeria where faith and ethnic background are not barriers to success,” he concluded.
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