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Don’t Politicize Security, It Will Be Defeated under President Tinubu, Says Umahi

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The Federal Government on Thursday, June 4, 2026 officially flagged off the Gombe–Biu Super Highway, a major component of the Akwanga–Jos–Bauchi–Gombe–Biu–Maiduguri Dualization Project, with the Minister of Works, Senator Engr. David Umahi, CON, expressing confidence that Nigeria’s security challenges will be overcome under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Speaking at the ceremony in Gombe State, Umahi described the project as another demonstration of President Tinubu’s commitment to infrastructure development and national unity, while commending Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya for the transformation of the state.

This was made known by Francis Nwaze , FIPMD
Senior Special Assistant to the Honourable Minister of Works Media.

“I’m very proud to boldly say that Gombe is an APC state. I’m very proud to have you as the Governor of Gombe State. Very proud to have President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the President of Nigeria,” Umahi said.

“Just a few hours ago, you took us around, but what we saw, we are honestly very, very proud of what you have achieved in this state. We never knew that Gombe was this developed by you. We thank you, and we thank you because you’re a true Nigerian.”

Umahi disclosed that the Federal Government had expanded the scope of the Gombe-Biu section following requests from the state government and assured residents that construction activities would begin almost immediately.

“We promise you that within the next 30 days, you will see real work on this highway.”

According to him, the Gombe-Biu section forms part of the approximately 700-kilometre Fourth Legacy Project stretching from Akwanga through Jos, Bauchi, Gombe and Biu to Maiduguri.

He explained that the section was awarded to construction giant HITECH after a rigorous procurement process.

“There were five other companies that contested with HITECH, and HITECH won it.”

The Minister also addressed the nation’s security challenges, expressing confidence that the Tinubu administration would overcome them through collective efforts and sustained government action.

“Security should not be politicized. It should not be weaponized. Why is it that anytime we are trying to have an election, there is heightened insecurity? This is very concerning because anybody who takes the life of others under any guise, God is watching, and God is going to pay back.

“If anybody has a hand in the insecurity because the person wants power, God will resist such a person.

“So we stand with the President, we pray for him, and we work with him. This phase will also pass, and we will win our election by God’s special grace.”

He noted that President Tinubu had demonstrated leadership in stabilizing key sectors of the economy and would also succeed in restoring lasting peace across the country.

“The boat is already on sail. It is on the high sea. We are experiencing turbulence, but the President has been able to stabilize the boat in so many directions.”

“The macroeconomy is stabilized, the naira is stable, and we are descending the gains of the reforms to the micro level. This insecurity will also be solved by this President, and then we will all be grateful to God Almighty.”

The Minister described President Tinubu as a leader committed to delivering projects that had remained unrealized for decades.

“I was shocked when the Governor traced back the history of this project, how past governments attempted it, but it remained a dot in a circle.”

“But the man that God has sent to solve the impossibilities, and that’s why I’m confident that this security issue will be solved by him.”

He cited the Sokoto-Badagry Super Highway, the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and the Akwanga-Maiduguri Corridor as examples of long-conceived projects now being actualized under President Tinubu’s administration.

“The Sokoto-Badagry project was dreamt about fifty years ago by the Shagari administration. Who actualized it? President Bola Tinubu.”

“The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway was dreamt by himself about twenty-eight years ago. Who is actualizing it? President Bola Tinubu.”

“This one also goes back decades. Who is bringing it to fruition? The same President Bola Tinubu.”

Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, CON, in his remarks, described the project as one of the most significant infrastructure investments in the history of Gombe State and expressed appreciation to President Tinubu and the Minister of Works for making it a reality.

“The joy and excitement on the faces of our people speak for themselves. Across the state, people are celebrating because this project has come at a very important time in our history,” the Governor said.

He noted that the project aligns with the state’s livestock and agricultural industrial zone initiative and would serve as a major catalyst for economic growth.

“The livestock and agricultural zone will connect directly to the Super Highway, linking economic activities to critical infrastructure and opening up new opportunities for trade and investment.”

Governor Yahaya assured the Federal Government, contractors and stakeholders of the state’s full support throughout the execution of the project.

“On behalf of the Government and people of Gombe State, I assure you that the security of your personnel, equipment, and machinery is guaranteed throughout the duration of the project.”

Managing Director of HITECH Construction Company, Engr. Dany Abboud, assured stakeholders that the company would deliver the project according to the highest international standards.

“We will execute this project to the highest international standards, as I have previously assured Your Excellencies. We will mobilize all necessary resources to ensure its successful delivery.”

He also pledged to create employment opportunities for host communities, particularly young people.

“We are also committed to creating employment opportunities and empowering as many people as possible from the host communities, particularly the youth.”

Chairman of the Senate Committee on Works, Senator Allwell H. Onyesoh, commended President Tinubu’s commitment to infrastructure development and called on Nigerians to support the administration.

“We know we’ll be coming here often considering the so many federal projects here. And I want to appeal to all of you to support Mr. President. He’s doing very wonderfully for the nation.”

“Forget about induced insecurity that people are trying to bring to destabilize the country, but God will not allow it to work.”

Similarly, Chairman of the House Committee on Works, Hon. Akin Alabi, praised the partnership between the Executive and Legislature in delivering critical infrastructure projects across the country.

He commended HITECH Construction Company for its quality of work, timely delivery of projects and positive relationship with host communities, describing the company as a strong partner in Nigeria’s development.

“As legislators, we oversee appropriations and project funding. From what we have seen on the ground, the company has delivered work that shows commitment and value.”

The traditional ruler of Yamaltu Emirate, The Mai Tangle and Chairman of the Gombe State Council of Chiefs, Dr. Danladi Sanusi Maiyamba III expressed appreciation to President Tinubu, the Federal Ministry of Works and all stakeholders involved in the project. He also pledged the full support of his people toward the successful execution of the highway.

A significant portion of the road within Gombe State passes through the Yamaltu Emirate, and the monarch assured contractors of a peaceful and conducive environment throughout the construction period.

Dignitaries at the flag-off ceremony included Senator Onyekachi Nwebonyi, Senator Ede Dafinone; Senator Anthony Yaro; Vice Chairman of the House Committee on Works, Hon. Usman Banye; Hon. Ajilosoro; Hon. Inuwa Garba; Hon. Alex; SSA-President Community Development (North East); SSA to President Community Development (SouthEast), Barr. Chioma Nweze, traditional rulers; government officials; representatives of HITECH Construction Company; and other stakeholders from across the country.

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Oyo 2027: Adelabu clears air on APC defection rumour

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Immediate past Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, says he is not defecting from the All Progressives Congress, APC.

Adelabu made this known in a statement by his media office on Tuesday.

He made the clarification after his media aide, Ajiboye Akande, dumped the APC for the Allied Peoples Movement, APM.

DAILY POST reports that Adelabu was an Oyo APC governorship aspirant but was defeated in the party’s primaries.

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The ex-minister stressed that Akande has ceased to be his personal assistant and holds no official or political relation with him.

He further clarified that their relation ended when he decided to associate with another political party.

“I remain a member of APC and have no intention of leaving the party. My disagreement with aspects of the Oyo governorship nomination is about the process and the need for transparency and legitimacy, and not an excuse to abandon the party.

“I will not betray President Bola Tinubu, whom I regard as my political mentor and benefactor, or abandon the party that provided me the opportunity to serve,” he said.

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Minister Pledges Pedestrian Bridges, Improved Road Access To Tertiary Institutions

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By Angela Atabo

The Minister of Works, Sen. Dave Umahi, has pledged the Federal Government’s commitment to providing pedestrian bridges and improving road access to tertiary institutions across the country.

Umahi made the commitment in Abuja on Tuesday while receiving the report of the Northwest leg of the Nationwide Federal Roads Project Tour conducted by the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS).

The minister said the government had taken note of students’ concerns about road safety and access to their institutions, assuring that requests for pedestrian bridges would receive attention.

“The pedestrian bridge you requested is noted. We will do it,” Umahi said, stressing the government’s determination to address safety concerns affecting students.

He said the government had taken special note of the need to incorporate access routes to campuses into future road construction projects where possible.

“I have also taken special note of our future investment in our road construction to ensure that, where possible, we should put bridges leading to our campuses,” he said.

Umahi disclosed that the Federal Government was already responding to similar requests from some tertiary institutions, including the University of Abuja and Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka.

“The University of Abuja requested for pedestrian bridge, we are doing that. We are doing also that of Nnamdi Azikiwe University in Awka, they also requested,” he said.

He assured students that the ministry would continue to listen to requests aimed at improving their safety and access to educational institutions.

“As long as you make your request for the safety of our students, we will continue to listen to you,” Umahi said, commending the students for their knowledge and commitment to nation building.

The minister further said future road projects would, where possible, include spurs leading directly to tertiary institution campuses to enhance accessibility and reduce risks to students.

He said the Federal Government was intentional about completing ongoing road projects across the country, urging students to obtain firsthand information about infrastructure projects rather than relying solely on reports or social media narratives.

Umahi also encouraged students to visit project sites, inspect government projects and provide feedback on areas requiring improvement.

He disclosed that the main pavement of the first 105 kilometres of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway was expected to be completed by November 2026.

The minister, however, expressed concern over the destruction of infrastructure along the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, particularly around the Apapa axis, warning that vandalism could undermine the benefits of major government investments.

“I wept when I saw the level of destruction under the bridge in Apapa axis,” Umahi said, describing the damage to the infrastructure as unacceptable.

He said people were passing through the bridge piers, while trailers were reportedly being driven over the piers to move from one point to another, describing the situation as “mind-boggling damage.”

Umahi stressed that the destruction of public infrastructure, including the cutting of metals and damage to block works, should not be regarded as development.

He said public infrastructure represented the country’s future and urged citizens to protect government projects for the benefit of present and future generations.

Earlier, the NANS President, Afeez Akinteye, said the association embarked on the nationwide road project tour to physically assess ongoing and completed Federal Government projects and determine their impact on students.

Akinteye said the Northwest leg of the tour covered Kano, Jigawa, Kaduna and Sokoto states, where the delegation inspected several major federal road projects.

He listed the projects inspected to include the Kano-Kwanar Danja-Hadejia Road, Kano Northern Bypass, Kano-Maiduguri Road, Kano-Katsina Road, Kaduna-Kano Road, Kano-Kongolam Road, Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano Road and Zaria-Funtua-Sokoto Road.

Others, he said, included the Kaduna-Pambegua-Jos Road, Wusasa-Jos Road, Mando-Birnin Gwari Road, Sokoto-Badagry Road and Illela-Dukamaje Road.

According to him, the delegation also inspected the 122.89-kilometre Mando-Birnin Gwari Federal Highway in Kaduna State, which he described as strategically important for inter-state connectivity.

The NANS president said the association paid particular attention to the relevance of the projects to students because roads leading to tertiary institutions were essential to access to education.

“For Nigerian students, these roads are more than transportation routes. They are part of the daily infrastructure through which we access our campuses,” he said.

He said the Kano Northern Bypass was particularly significant because of its connection to 10 tertiary institutions across the region, adding that its completion would provide an alternative route for students and commuters.

Akinteye said the bypass would also help ease traffic pressure within Kano metropolis and strengthen inter-state connectivity.

The NANS president called for the construction of a pedestrian bridge at the Federal Co-operative College, Kaduna, along the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano route, citing the safety of students who use the road.

He said the association was impressed by the scale and spread of the projects inspected, as well as the pace and quality of construction observed during the tour.

He said the delegation observed works involving pavement construction, earthworks, drainage, subgrade preparation and solar street lights on completed projects.

Akinteye added that NANS would continue the nationwide inspection in other regions and communicate its observations to students and the general public.(NAN)

Edited by Deji Abdulwahab

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