By Osaretin Osadebamwen
Minister of Works, Senator David Nweze Umahi, has defended the Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima, arguing that Nigerians should judge the administration by its performance rather than religious considerations.
Sen. Umahi made the position known on Monday in Abuja while commending Tinubu for what he described as deliberate efforts to give the Southeast greater political and infrastructural inclusion in the affairs of Nigeria.
The Minister of Works spoke when the President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Akinteye Babatunde, led student leaders on a courtesy visit to confirm the Minister as their Patron.
He said the Tinubu administration had demonstrated an intention to integrate the Southeast into the national development agenda, citing ongoing infrastructure projects in the region as evidence of the President’s commitment.
Te Minister urged the people of the Southeast to look beyond sentiments, work with other geopolitical zones and assess the administration on its record and performance.
According to him the President enjoys the favour of God over the good intentions he has towards Nigeria: “When the hands of God are Upon you, there is little anybody can do about it.
If the Mount surmounted the Naira redesign, the hording of the petroleum and all challenges and the Muslim-Muslim ticket which people will talk about and they will talking rubbish.
“What has religion got to do with performance? If we agree that we are brothers and sisters forget about your religion, nobody intentionally chose the religion, it is a function of where you were born. And we all created by the same God.
“The Vice President, is he not articulate and intelligent?”
“For the first time people will move from Island to mail land in Bonny. When the MLG is being ₦280bn under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. That project is completed 39.7km fully done and the people of Bonny are very happy, they are no longer dying in the sea, they are now driving to the land.
In Southeast for the first time we are remembered. Our people should not be sentimental. They insult me and I enjoy the insult. One day they will find out that God sent me at a time like this to tell the truth. I am not saying what I am not doing, the President has good intention to integrate the people of the southeast and I have to be honest with you.
“If I am not a minister from the Southeast, we would not be able to get the projects we have gotten. And so is an intentional act by Mr. President. ‘Go and right the wrongs of the Southeast’ and somebody is telling me he is living in. Illusions and sentiments.
“The votes of southeast will not make our brother President. We need to work with other zones so that when our turn comes, this is not our turn. They say I was insulting Peter Obi. He is my very good brother even though on his birthday I wish him happy birthday and on my birthday he wished me happy birthday.
“We are talking about issues, so I tell people do not vote for him, vote for Bola Tinubu. They say you are not in. The ballot I said no, the President is on the ballot, am also on the ballot. I have to portray the good work am doing.
“Look at Enugu Onitsha, for years it takes hours to travel for a journey of between 30 and 45 minutes, today that road is 30% percent being constructed like the Coastal road
“Look at Enugu-Port Harcourt people use to bypass ABA to go through Owerri, today that road is being reconstructed by this man
“Just about two weeks ago, the President expanded the North East project, the fourth legacy project from Akwanga to Jos to Bauchi-Gombe-Maiduguri-Link Biu and pass through Yobe to get to Maiduguri and he added Wukari 400km.
The Minister said he will ready to champion any debate on the available evidence to shoe the President has been working and not distracted by the issue of religious sentiments.
