The Honourable Minister of Works, Senator Engr. David Umahi, CON, has declared that the overwhelming support recorded by the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the recent Ekiti State governorship election is a proof of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s performance in office, expressing confidence that the same outcome will be repeated in the 2027 presidential election.
Senator Umahi made the declaration on Wednesday, July 8, 2026, while receiving the Governor of Ekiti State, His Excellency Mr. Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, on a courtesy visit to the Federal Ministry of Works Headquarters in Mabushi, Abuja.
Congratulating Governor Oyebanji on his resounding electoral victory, the Minister also congratulated President Tinubu and the APC, describing the Ekiti election as a clear endorsement of the administration’s infrastructure and development agenda. “Let me congratulate you very highly, and then congratulate Mr. President and, by extension, our party, APC. It happened in Ekiti. It also happened in the off-cycle elections at the National Assembly across the country.”
The Minister said the growing acceptance of the APC across Nigeria is being driven by President Tinubu’s commitment to delivering visible infrastructure and ensuring that no part of the country is left behind. “Technically, APC spoke very loudly because of the great work that the President is doing. I congratulate you very seriously and assure you that the same way the President is intervening in Ekiti, he is intervening all over the country. There is no place where we have road challenges that the President is not intervening. It is for the first time that we have a fair distribution of infrastructure across the thirty-six states and the FCT.”
Expressing optimism about the President’s re-election, the Minister said: “As it happened in Ekiti, so shall it happen for the President in 2027.”
Senator Umahi also assured Governor Oyebanji that the newly approved Ado–Ijan–Ilumoba–Ikole Road project would be executed through a transparent procurement process. “We’re going to go through this project by due process, and any contractor that wins it through due process, we’ll let you know, so that you can monitor them.”
Earlier, the Governor of Ekiti State, His Excellency, Mr. Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji attributed the APC’s unprecedented electoral success in Ekiti State to President Tinubu’s swift intervention in critical road infrastructure and Senator Umahi’s commitment to translating the President’s approvals into action.
The governor said the reconstruction of the Itawure–Aramoko–Ado Road ended years of abandoned promises and restored confidence among Ekiti people. “Mr. President initially approved the reconstruction of Itawure–Aramoko–Ado Road. This road has become a nightmare to Ekiti people. It’s a road that every four years, PDP governments would come and flag off, and there wouldn’t be any action.”
He recalled that after presenting the matter to Senator Umahi, the Minister immediately took it to President Tinubu, whose approval was followed by the rapid mobilisation of contractors to the project site. “I came to you, and you took it to Mr. President. Mr. President approved it, and we were shocked that three weeks after, contractors were already on the road. They mobilized to the site, and they are working.”
Governor Oyebanji said the prompt execution of the project inspired widespread appreciation for President Tinubu across the state and significantly influenced the outcome of the governorship election. “Because of that, Ekiti people felt a sense of appreciation to Mr. President, and they came out during the governorship election to express their gratitude to the President. It was the first time in our history that a party won in all the local governments, won in all the wards, and also polled 85.6 percent of the total number of votes.”
The governor further disclosed that after presenting his certificate of return to President Tinubu, the President immediately approved another major road project for the state. “I went to the President to present my letter of return. He was so elated and happy, and he also approved the construction of Ado–Ijan–Ilumoba–Ikole Road. This road is another road that has been troubling Ekiti people. It’s the major artery to the North from the South.”
Governor Oyebanji said his visit to the Ministry was to appreciate Senator Umahi for his commitment and to convey the gratitude of Ekiti people to President Tinubu. “My visit here today is just to appreciate you and to also send you to the President that the Ekiti people appreciate him, and they are grateful for what he has done.”
Describing the Tinubu administration as the most impactful in the history of Ekiti State, the governor said: “Sir, I can put this on record. Ekiti State is just thirty years old. In the history of our creation, there is no President that has been this good to Ekiti people. This is the first time that we are feeling a sense of belonging to the Nigerian nation. We can point to a lot of Mr. President’s interventions across roads, agriculture, and the health sector in Ekiti State.”
He concluded by expressing confidence in the continued support of Ekiti people for President Tinubu. “I can assure you, sir, that come January next year, Ekiti people will speak up.”
Francis Nwaze, FIPMD
Senior Special Assistant to the Honourable Minister of Works, Media
July 9, 2026