The apex Igbo socio-cultural group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has dismissed recent allegations by Muhammad Jamil, also known as Jadda Garko, who claimed that Northerners have been sidelined in President Bola Tinubu’s road and bridge projects. Ohanaeze labeled these assertions as misleading and baseless.
In a statement released on Sunday by Okechukwu Isiguzoro, the factional Secretary-General of Ohanaeze, the group stressed that Jamil’s accusations against the Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, are not only untrue but also reflect a misunderstanding of the facts. They emphasized that the Northern region has, in fact, been the primary beneficiary of these infrastructural projects under Tinubu’s administration.
The statement read, “Mr. Jamil’s claims are a deliberate attempt to disrupt the monumental progress being made in Nigeria’s infrastructure development, spearheaded by Senator Umahi under President Tinubu’s leadership.”
Ohanaeze also noted that the distribution of ongoing road projects heavily favors the Northern region, with over 52% of current infrastructure projects allocated there. The group shared data that proves this equitable distribution, challenging Jamil’s narrative.
“Out of the 2,735 kilometers of roads currently under construction across the country, the Northern region has received 1,414 kilometers (52%), compared to the Southern region’s 1,321 kilometers (48%),” the statement added.
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Ohanaeze further highlighted that several funding mechanisms, including Sukuk financing, the Federal Budget, and the Renewed Hope Infrastructure Fund, have been transparently managed, ensuring that no region is neglected.
“Of the 82 ongoing Sukuk-funded projects, 45 are located in the North, while the South has 37. These figures reflect a clear commitment to equitable national development,” Isiguzoro said.
The group reaffirmed their confidence in Senator Umahi’s leadership, praising his integrity and expertise in managing Nigeria’s infrastructure projects. They urged Nigerians to reject divisive narratives and support the government’s efforts to build a united and prosperous nation.
“Senator Umahi’s civil engineering background ensures that every kobo allocated to these projects is spent judiciously. His work is for the benefit of all Nigerians, and no one should distract him from his mission,” the statement concluded.
Ohanaeze called on critics, particularly those with a history of corruption, to stop undermining the government’s efforts and focus on promoting transparency, unity, and national development.
