Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, has expressed optimism that God will continue to guide President Bola Tinubu in leading Nigeria until 2031 to further the country’s development.

Umahi stated this on Thursday during an inspection tour of ongoing bridge projects in Lagos State, including the Carter Bridge, which is scheduled for reconstruction beginning next week.

According to the minister, Tinubu’s administration would continue to receive divine support in addressing the nation’s challenges, particularly insecurity.

“The same God that brought him is going to be there to solve all the problems,” Umahi said while appealing to Nigerians to support and cooperate with the current administration in its efforts to tackle security concerns across the country.

He noted that no leader desires instability during their tenure, but added that any responsible government must confront challenges directly whenever they arise.

“There is no leader who will not want his reign to be peaceful, but when crises come, the leader must confront them. That is exactly what we are doing,” he said.

Umahi further stated that regardless of whether the country’s security challenges were politically motivated or not, he believed Tinubu would receive the wisdom and strength required to overcome them and address other national issues.

The minister also expressed confidence that the present administration would complete all projects initiated under its watch.

“Your hands that have started this will complete it,” Umahi stated, adding that the government remained confident that Tinubu’s leadership continued to enjoy divine favour.

Speaking on the Carter Bridge project, the minister disclosed that the reconstruction of the bridge is expected to be completed within three years.

“It is within our five-year plan,” he added.

The Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, Benue State chapter, has cautioned aspirants and party stakeholders against purchasing nomination forms through unauthorized channels, stressing that the exercise has not yet commenced.

In a statement issued by the party’s Publicity Secretary, Agile Ordedoo Bem, on behalf of the State Chairman, Mr. Ohini Ojegbe, the party urged aspirants who had earlier purchased intent and expression of interest forms and participated in the primary process to remain patient.

The party explained that only intent and expression of interest forms had been sold so far, noting that the sale of nomination forms would begin at the NDC State Secretariat once the list of successful candidates is officially released.

According to the statement, the state leadership has not authorized any individual or group to sell nomination forms on its behalf and therefore disassociates itself from any advertisement or sale taking place outside the party secretariat.

The NDC warned aspirants against patronizing what it described as “black market” channels for nomination forms, either within or outside Benue State.

The party further disclosed that its national leadership was finalizing documentation relating to candidates across the country and would soon publish the official list for public and media consumption.

While assuring members of transparency in the process, the party expressed confidence in its chances of securing a majority of elective positions in Benue State and across Nigeria in the forthcoming elections.

The statement called on aspirants and stakeholders to await official communication from the party regarding the commencement of nomination form sales and the release of candidates’ names.