Tinubu Woos North-West Voters, As Umahi Lists 348km Completed Roads

..... As President urges nigerians to obtain PVCs, vote APC

..... Reaffirms his commitment to infrastructure delivery and other development programmes, while commending governors, traditional rulers, youths and other stakeholders for their contributions to national development.

"4,084km ongoing, 1,811km partially completed," says Minister Umahi.

..... Ultimately, the administration’s infrastructure record is likely to remain a major part of its campaign messaging ahead of the 2027 elections, with voters expected to weigh its promises against the delivery and practical benefits of completed projects.

President Bola Tinubu has urged Nigerians to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and support the All Progressives Congress at all levels ahead of the 2027 general elections, promising to sustain infrastructure development and other programmes aimed at improving their welfare.

Tinubu made the appeal on Saturday at the Kaduna Township Stadium during the flag-off of the APC North-West zonal presidential campaign, where the Minister of Works, David Umahi, highlighted the Federal Government’s road infrastructure projects and their potential impact on economic growth.

The rally attracted governors, lawmakers, party leaders, traditional rulers, youths, women’s groups and other supporters, with the administration’s infrastructure record featuring prominently in efforts to mobilise support for Tinubu’s re-election bid.

Addressing the gathering, the President urged eligible voters to participate actively in the electoral process, declaring, “Vote APC from top to bottom, APC everywhere.”

He reaffirmed his commitment to infrastructure delivery and other development programmes, while commending governors, traditional rulers, youths and other stakeholders for their contributions to national development.

Presenting the administration’s infrastructure scorecard, Umahi, who is also the Deputy Director-General, Infrastructure, Mobilisation and Sensitisation, of the 2027 APC Presidential Campaign Council, disclosed that the Federal Government had completed 348 kilometres of inherited and newly initiated road projects.

The minister said ongoing road projects covered 4,084 kilometres, while partially completed projects accounted for another 1,811 kilometres.

The figures underscore the scale of the government's road construction programme, although the substantial number of ongoing and partially completed projects highlights the need for sustained funding, effective supervision and timely delivery.

Umahi identified the outstanding sections of the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano Expressway as one of the strategic interventions aimed at improving transportation across the North-West and strengthening links between the Federal Capital Territory and major commercial centres in the region.

He listed the 118-kilometre Lot 1 of the expressway among the completed project interventions, alongside the 30-kilometre Kano section and the 81-kilometre Tungan Maje-Jere alignment, which he said had been commissioned.

The minister said the corridor remained critical to passenger movement, trade and the transportation of agricultural produce and manufactured goods, noting that improved road conditions would reduce transportation costs and enhance business activities.

He also highlighted projects in Kano State, including the Northern Bypass, the dualisation of the Kano-Maiduguri Road, Section I, covering Kano to Shuwarin, and the Yakasai-Badume-Damargu-Marken Jalli Road.

According to him, investments in road infrastructure would improve access to markets, strengthen agricultural supply chains, create employment and connect rural communities to major economic centres.

The minister noted that improved road networks would support the movement of goods and services across Kano, Jigawa, Kaduna, Katsina, Zamfara, Sokoto and Kebbi states, while opening up communities whose economic activities had been constrained by poor road conditions.

He, however, stressed the importance of completing projects to the required engineering standards and maintaining existing roads to ensure that infrastructure investments delivered lasting benefits.

Vice-President Kashim Shettima also highlighted the administration’s development initiatives across Northern Nigeria, particularly in road construction, agriculture, regional connectivity and economic expansion.

Shettima commended Tinubu for prioritising infrastructure challenges in the North, arguing that improved road networks were essential to connecting farmers with markets, facilitating commerce and promoting inclusive development.

He also expressed confidence in the continued support of Northern Nigeria for the President ahead of the 2027 elections.

The Governor of Kaduna State, Uba Sani, urged Nigerians to assess the performance of governments based on verifiable achievements and tangible development outcomes rather than narratives circulating on social media.

Sani encouraged voters to examine completed projects, ongoing interventions and fulfilled commitments in determining the performance of the administration.

Similarly, the Director-General of the 2027 APC Presidential Campaign Council, Abdulaziz Yari, urged party supporters and political stakeholders, particularly in Northern Nigeria, to reject misinformation and promote constructive political engagement.

Yari maintained that leadership should be assessed based on commitments, performance and delivery, with infrastructure development and public welfare remaining central to political discourse.

A major highlight of the rally was the presentation of APC flags to seven governors from the North-West seeking re-election.

The flags were presented by the party’s National Chairman, Nentawe Yilwatda, as part of the APC’s mobilisation efforts ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The event was attended by Tinubu’s wife, Oluremi; Shettima’s wife, Nana; governors, lawmakers, traditional rulers and senior party officials.

While the rally served as a platform for political mobilisation, the infrastructure figures presented by Umahi also highlighted the scale of road projects awaiting completion across the country.

For the North-West, the impact of the projects will depend largely on their timely completion, proper maintenance and ability to improve transportation, facilitate trade and expand economic opportunities for residents and businesses.

Ultimately, the administration’s infrastructure record is likely to remain a major part of its campaign messaging ahead of the 2027 elections, with voters expected to weigh its promises against the delivery and practical benefits of completed projects.