The Minister of Works, Sen. Dave Umahi, says President Bola Tinubu has effectively “given Ndigbo Biafra” through unprecedented infrastructural development and inclusive governance across the South-East.

Umahi, made the assertion in his New Year message to Nigerians, particularly the people of the South-East, on Wednesday in Abuja.

According to him, the long-standing agitation for Biafra stemmed largely from feelings of marginalisation, neglect and absence of federal presence in the region, which he said the Tinubu administration is decisively addressing.

“President Bola Tinubu has given Ndigbo Biafra, not by breaking Nigeria, but by giving the South-East what it has been denied for decades – equity, inclusion and massive infrastructure,” Umahi said.

The minister noted that for the first time since the end of the civil war, the South-East is witnessing extensive federal road projects, economic inclusion and political recognition under one administration.

He cited ongoing construction and rehabilitation of key federal highways in the region, including the Second Niger Bridge access roads, Enugu–Onitsha Expressway, Enugu–Port Harcourt Expressway, Owerri–Okigwe Road, and other strategic routes.

Umahi said these projects were not mere promises but visible realities that demonstrate the President’s commitment to national unity and balanced development.

“For those who say the Igbo are marginalised, I ask: which other administration has done this much for the South-East in such a short time? The truth must be told – this government has remembered Ndigbo,” he said.

The former Ebonyi governor also pointed to the inclusion of Igbo sons and daughters in key positions within the Tinubu-led administration as further evidence of trust and integration.

He urged youths in the region to shun violence, separatist agitation and destructive protests, stressing that dialogue and constructive engagement yield better results than confrontation.

“Agitation without development leads nowhere. What our people truly desire is progress, security, and opportunity, and this government is providing that,” Umahi said.

The minister called on South-East leaders, traditional rulers and opinion moulders to support the Federal Government’s development agenda and encourage peace and unity.

He expressed optimism that 2026 would bring more dividends of democracy to the region and Nigeria at large, adding that President Tinubu remained committed to building a united, prosperous and inclusive nation.

Umahi also appealed to Nigerians to support the President’s economic reforms, noting that while they may be challenging in the short term, they were necessary for long-term national stability and growth.

“Let us remain patient, hopeful and united. Nigeria is on the right path,” he said.