*Sues over nurse death claims
The Minister of Works, Sen. David Umahi, has urged Nigerians, especially South-East residents, to appreciate President Bola Tinubu for ongoing Federal Government infrastructure projects across the region.
Umahi spoke on Sunday in Abakaliki while inspecting a section of the Ebonyi-Benue-Kogi-Nasarawa-Abuja Superhighway, one of the Federal Government’s flagship legacy road projects.
He praised the project’s pace and construction quality, expressing confidence that the completed highway would transform transportation and strengthen connectivity across several geopolitical zones.
According to the minister, the highway will substantially reduce travel time between the South-South, South-East and the Federal Capital Territory when completed.
Umahi said motorists would travel from the South-South and South-East to Abuja in approximately six hours, boosting commerce, investment and regional integration.
He described Tinubu as a leader committed to equitable national development and urged Nigerians to support the administration’s ongoing infrastructure renewal programme.
“I want all of us to win together with President Bola Tinubu in the forthcoming election,” Umahi said.
He expressed satisfaction with the contractors’ performance, saying the quality and speed of construction reflected the administration’s determination to modernise Nigeria’s road network.
“I am happy with the ongoing projects and what the contractors are doing,” the minister stated.
Umahi also referenced former Anambra Governor, Mr Peter Obi, while defending the administration’s infrastructure achievements and inviting public scrutiny of the projects.
“That is why I asked my brother, Mr Peter Obi, to debate with me on what I am doing,” he said.
He added that Obi declined, saying he was not a presidential candidate, but maintained the projects deserved objective assessment by Nigerians.
“I told Peter Obi that I am on the ballot because when President Tinubu is on the ballot, I am also on the ballot,” Umahi said.
He stressed that continuity was necessary to ensure the successful completion of strategic infrastructure projects across the country.
“I do not want these projects to stop. I want them to be completed. Therefore, I urge all Nigerians to support the President,” he added.
Earlier, Acting Federal Controller of Works in Ebonyi, Mr Maxwell Oko, explained that the inspected section would connect Ebonyi, Benue, Kogi, Nasarawa and the Federal Capital Territory.
Oko said the inspection took place at Kilometre 118 of Section One of the superhighway project currently under construction.
He explained that Section 2 begins immediately after the inspected location and extends for about 260 kilometres.
“This is not the end of the project. Section Two begins immediately after this point and stretches for about 260 kilometres,” Oko said.
He commended the Tinubu administration for expanding Nigeria’s road infrastructure, describing the investment as essential for economic growth, improved mobility and national development.
“I commend the Federal Government under the administration of President Bola Tinubu for expanding Nigeria’s road infrastructure for the benefit of the nation,” Oko said.
SUES OVER NURSE’S DEATH REPORT
Meanwhile, Umahi said he has initiated legal action against individuals spreading what he described as false reports about a nurse’s death.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports social media claims alleged secrecy surrounding the death of nurse, Mary Habila, inside Umahi’s compound in his hometown.
He said his lawyers had been fully briefed to pursue legal action against those responsible for circulating the alleged defamatory reports.
Umahi condemned what he described as defamatory activities by “evil people who claim to be freedom fighters”, insisting such conduct should never be tolerated.
He explained that the deceased’s family forced open her room after becoming concerned and immediately sought medical assistance.
“The family broke the girl’s door, called doctors from DUFUTH, who took her to hospital and did everything to revive her, but failed,” he said.
Umahi said the incident was promptly reported to the police, questioning claims that the circumstances surrounding the nurse’s death were concealed.
“The family reported the matter to the police, so where is the secrecy?” the minister asked.
He disclosed that the deceased’s parents, currently in Ebonyi, would address journalists and also institute legal proceedings against those spreading the alleged falsehood.
Umahi said he had directed that an autopsy be conducted, adding that the procedure would only proceed with the consent of the deceased’s parents.
“The death of the purveyors of such falsehood will be worse because you don’t do content creation with someone’s death,” he said.
He added that everyone would eventually answer God’s call, describing the late nurse as a dedicated employee of David Umahi Federal University Teaching Hospital.
“The deceased was a good nurse who checked my medical vital signs and worked with me for three years,” Umahi said.
The minister also dismissed reports linking him to an alleged kidnap suspect reportedly recruited into the Ebonyi security outfit, Ebubeagu.
“Can the purveyors of such news provide a photograph of me and such person?” he asked.
Umahi said he could not possibly know everyone recruited into the security outfit during his tenure as Ebonyi governor, insisting the suspect was unknown to him.
He reiterated his support for severe punishment against kidnappers, saying kidnapping was a crime no one should wish even upon an enemy.
Umahi maintained that the reports were politically motivated, expressing readiness to confront misinformation and defend his reputation through lawful means.
