UMAHI, NWIFURU, ELECHI, OTHERS ATTEND AS 13 EBONYI COUNCIL CHAIRMEN ARE SWORN IN
…APC Sweeps All Chairmanship, Councillorship Seats in Statewide Council Election
The Honourable Minister of Works, Senator Engr. David Umahi, CON, joined Ebonyi State Governor, Rt. Hon. Francis Nwifuru, former Governor, Chief Martin Elechi, and other prominent leaders and stakeholders at the swearing-in of the 13 newly elected Local Government Area Chairmen in Ebonyi State.
The ceremony, held at the Ecumenical Centre in Abakaliki on September 1, 2026, brought together political leaders, traditional rulers, government officials, party faithful, family members and supporters to witness the formal assumption of office by the new council chairmen.
The newly elected chairmen were sworn into office by Governor Nwifuru, who charged them to justify the confidence reposed in them by the people through effective leadership, accountability and responsive grassroots governance.
The swearing-in came against the backdrop of a sweeping victory by the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the recent statewide local government elections, in which the party won all 13 chairmanship positions as well as all councillorship seats across the state.
The 13 newly sworn-in council chairmen are:
1. Abakaliki — Chidiebere Onyema Alo
2. Afikpo — Timothy Agha Uduma Nwachi
3. Ebonyi — Odigwe Chibueze Nwelebe
4. Edda — Oko Simeon Unuoha
5. Ezza North — Nwuhuo Linus Friday
6. Ezza South — Chinedu Mkpuma
7. Ikwo — Nwode Chidi Henry
8. Ishielu — Agwu Peace Ifeoma
9. Ivo — Anym Michael Kalu
10. Izzi — Helen Nnenna Aduga
11. Ohaozara — Osborne Nweze Umahi
12. Ohaukwu — Eze Paul Ituma
13. Onicha — Ogbojia Ikechukwu
The new council chairmen are expected to translate their electoral mandate into tangible development at the grassroots, respond to the needs of their communities and work in harmony with the state government to advance the development of Ebonyi.
Francis Nwaze, FIPMD
Senior Special Assistant to the Honourable Minister of Works (Media)
September 1, 2026
Ongoing transformation story of Afikpo-Uturu-Okigwe road by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR through the Honourable Minister of Works, Senator Engr. David Umahi, CON.
RENEWED HOPE is a reality.
VOTE PRESIDENT BOLA AHMED TINUBU FOR CONTINUITY.
BENIN-ASABA ROAD: WE INHERITED THE CONCESSION, BUT THE JOB MUST BE DONE, UMAHI ASSURES NIGERIANS
The Honourable Minister of Works, Senator Engr. David Umahi, CON, has assured Nigerians that the Federal Government will not allow the prolonged deterioration of the Benin–Asaba Road to continue, despite inheriting a concession agreement entered into by the previous administration.
The Minister spoke on Friday, August 28, 2026, during an inspection of Phase 2B of the Second Niger Bridge at the Nkwerre–Ezunaka section of the Onitsha–Enugu Expressway.
Umahi said the Federal Government inherited the concession arrangement with Africa Plus Partners Ltd as part of the agreements entered into by the previous government, but stressed that the overriding interest of Nigerians would remain the priority of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration therefore has to follow due process.
However, the minister made it clear that the concession would not become an excuse for government to allow Nigerians and road users to continue suffering. “Our hands are tied by the concession agreement that was entered before this administration. But overriding public interest is such that we are watching them, and if this suffering continues, we’ll invoke the law of necessity for overriding public interest,”
He disclosed that the Ministry of Works had already notified the concessionaire of its default and was exploring available legal options.
Rather than immediately cancelling the concession, Umahi said the Federal Government had also assembled about 7 contractors and offered to have them intervene on the road at no cost to the concessionaire.
The concessionaire, however, insisted that it would undertake the rehabilitation itself.
“They say, ‘No, we will fix it.’ So if we had said no, then they will now go and start earning money from federation account, which has been our fear. So we are watching them. We’ve left them. Let them fix the road,” he explained.
Umahi also rejected claims that the poor condition of the Benin-Asaba route was evidence of marginalisation of the Southeast, pointing to several major road interventions undertaken by the Tinubu administration along the Lagos-Southeast travel corridor.
He recalled that the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, completed under President Tinubu, has significantly improved movement from Lagos towards the Southeast.
He also highlighted the rehabilitation of the 48-kilometre section leading towards Ore, where President Tinubu directed that concrete pavement be used because of the difficult condition of the road.
According to Umahi, one carriageway of the 48-kilometre section has already been completed, with work now progressing on the other carriageway. Solar lighting and tree planting are also being introduced as part of the broader improvement.
Before addressing the road situation, Umahi also expressed confidence in President Tinubu’s political prospects ahead of the 2027 presidential election, saying the President’s infrastructure investments and relationship with the Southeast were strengthening support for his administration.
“President Bola Tinubu, GCFR, is going to win the 2027 election. He’s going to win,” Umahi said, expressing particular confidence in the President’s growing political standing in Anambra State.
He pointed to the performance of progressive candidates in the state’s recent off-cycle elections as evidence of increasing acceptance of the Tinubu administration and its policies.
Francis Nwaze, FIPMD
Senior Special Assistant to the Honourable Minister of Works (Media)
August 30, 2026
“You are learning how to do construction on our road. I am very disappointed with the concessionaire, but I take full responsibility for the misdeed.” — Umahi speaks during his visit to the Benin–Agbor–Asaba Road on August 25, 2026.
PRESS STATEMENT
OFFICE OF THE HONOURABLE MINISTER OF WORKS
UMAHI LEADS URGENT INTERVENTION ON BENIN-AGBOR-ASABA AS TINUBU ORDERS IMMEDIATE ACTION
The Minister of Works, Senator Engr. David Umahi, CON, has moved swiftly to address the worsening condition of the Ifaki-Kabba-Ado Ekiti road in Ekiti and Kogi States, and Benin-Agbor-Asaba Roads following President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive for urgent intervention to ease the hardship being faced by motorists and commuters.
Umahi, who expressed deep concern over the deplorable condition of the road and the suffering of road users who have spent hours and, in some cases, days on the route, said the Federal Government was determined to take immediate corrective measures while working towards permanent solutions.
“President Tinubu, GCFR, has directed the Federal Ministry of Works to urgently intervene and ensure that necessary corrective actions are taken to restore movement on the affected roads as quickly as possible.” Said Umahi
The Minister, in response to the directive, has already set machinery in motion for immediate action.
As part of the intervention, Umahi directed the Minister of State for Works to lead a team of ministry officials to the Ifaki-Kabba-Ado Ekiti axis to assess the situation and commence urgent remedial works.
The assignment is already on as of 10 a.m. on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, with officials of the Ministry on the ground.
While the intervention team moved into Ekiti and Kogi States, Umahi himself headed to Benin, Edo State, alongside members of the National Assembly Works Committees, to initiate a similar coordinated intervention on the Benin-Agbor-Asaba road.
The Benin meeting is expected to bring together key stakeholders, including representatives of the Edo and Delta State Governments and the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), with the aim of finding immediate solutions to the challenges confronting motorists on the strategic corridor.
Umahi also took responsibility for the unfortunate situation on the affected roads and apologised to commuters who have been stranded or delayed for several hours and days.
He assured road users that the Federal Government’s response would go beyond temporary relief, with immediate measures being pursued alongside permanent solutions to restore the affected roads and improve their long-term reliability.
Francis Nwaze
Senior Special Assistant to the Honourable Minister of Works (Media)
August 25, 2026
Video: Tomorrow, the Honourable Minister of Works, Senator Engr. David Umahi, CON, will visit the site of Benin-Agbor-Asaba Road to take decisive action and bring an end to the suffering of Nigerians who use the Road.
Listen to the Honourable Minister speak on the planned action for tomorrow on the affected road and other one, following the directive of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.
Francis Nwaze
Congratulations, Brother, on your victory in the Ohaozara Local Government Area Chairmanship election that took place today.
I am certain that you will make a major difference and take Ohaozara in a positive direction.
Congratulations once again, Engr. Osbourn Umahi, Chairman-elect, Ohaozara LGA.
Francis Nwaze
SSA - Media to the Honourable Minister of Works.
It’s official. You are encouraged to go out and spread the good news that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is the right man for the job, especially when it comes to sustaining the progress and reforms already in motion.
Tell every Nigerian that it is time to give overwhelming support to President Tinubu so he can continue the work of reforming, rebuilding and resetting our country for a better future.
Let the message go far and wide: President Tinubu deserves strong support in the 2027 general election. Let Nigerians make their voices heard through their votes and democratic choices.
Spread the word that Tinubu should get over 90% of the votes across the country come 2027 general election. That the rest of the candidates may share the rest of 10%.
Let the world hear your voice.
President Tinubu deserves to continue the work.
VOTE FOR PRESIDENT TINUBU.
Francis Nwaze
PUT NIGERIANS FIRST, TAKE OWNERSHIP OF YOUR PROJECTS - UMAHI TO FEDERAL CONTROLLERS
Urges continuous learning, site engagement and passion for quality delivery
The Honourable Minister of Works, Senator Engr. David Nweze Umahi, CON, has charged Federal Controllers of Works across the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory to remain committed to quality project delivery and always put the interests of Nigerians first.
Umahi gave the charge on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, during the Ministry’s monthly meeting with Federal Controllers of Works from across the country, held at the Ministry’s headquarters in Mabushi, Abuja. a regular platform for reviewing the progress of federal road projects, addressing challenges and strengthening supervision and accountability in project delivery.
Umahi urged the Controllers to take a keen interest in construction and make continuous learning a priority, stressing that effective supervision requires both professional knowledge and practical understanding of what is happening on project sites.
“Take interest in the construction. Read your books to improve. I learn a lot from the site, not from the office,” the Minister said.
He encouraged the Controllers to spend more time on project sites, understand the realities of construction and remain close to the people who are directly affected by the projects under their supervision.
According to him, public service is more meaningful when it is driven by genuine passion for the people.
“When you have passion for the people, you put God first. God will make you do more things you don’t even know how to do,” he said.
The Minister, who reflected on his experience as Governor of Ebonyi State, said his achievements in office were driven by his faith, commitment to the people and a strong sense of responsibility.
“When I was Governor, God gave me the revelation that I had the ability to do so many things. That was God’s direction,” Umahi recalled.
He told the Controllers that placing the people at the centre of their work is also a way of putting God first, adding that genuine commitment to public service brings personal fulfilment.
“When you put the people first, you are putting God first. You will enjoy your job. You will be happy with the job. As you are putting God and the people first, you are creating everlasting blessing for your family,” the Minister added.
The Minister urged the Controllers to remain diligent and committed to their responsibilities, noting that the quality of work delivered on federal roads is ultimately measured by the difference it makes in the lives of Nigerians.
Francis Nwaze, FIPMD
Senior Special Assistant to the Honourable Minister of Works (Media)
August 12, 2026