Minister of Works, David Umahi, has responded to allegations made by Senator Adams Oshiomhole (APC, Edo North) accusing the Ministry of Works of manifest bias and neglect regarding federal road infrastructure in Edo and Delta states.
Speaking in a video address released on Friday, July 31, 2026, Umahi dismissed calls for a public debate with the former Edo State Governor over uncompleted federal road corridors, stating that he prefers private reasoning with a senior colleague rather than public confrontation.
Key Operational Highlights & Context
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Oshiomhole’s Senate Allegations: Raising a point of concern during Senate plenary, Senator Oshiomhole accused the Works Ministry of approving new road initiatives while neglecting critical existing corridors—such as the Benin–Warri, Benin–Asaba, Benin–Auchi, and Auchi–Okene routes—alleging a “manifest bias” against the Edo–Delta axis.
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Umahi’s Rebuttal & Stance: Addressing public demands for a formal debate with Oshiomhole, Umahi declined to engage in a political spectacle, citing mutual respect and shared political history as former governors and legislative colleagues.
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Funding & Tax Credit Mechanisms: The Minister emphasized that road infrastructure funding relies heavily on budgetary releases and presidential tax credit schemes, asserting that federal allocation distribution remains bound by technical engineering realities and fiscal availability.
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Focus on South-East Mobilization: Responding concurrently to political criticism over his recent public statements, Umahi maintained that his call for voters in the South-East to support President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid is based on performance facts rather than personal attacks.
┌────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ UMAHI VS. OSHIOMHOLE ROAD CONTROVERSY │
├────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ • Accuser : Senator Adams Oshiomhole (APC, Edo North) │
│ │
│ • Respondent : Sen. David Umahi (Minister of Works) │
│ │
│ • Key Allegation : Neglect of Edo–Delta federal routes (Benin–Warri, │
│ Benin–Asaba, Auchi–Okene) & "manifest bias". │
│ │
│ • Minister's Defense: Preference for private reasoning over public │
│ debates; reliance on presidential tax credits and│
│ objective engineering priorities. │
└────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
(Sources: Senate Plenary Records & Ministry of Works Directorate of Press)
“He Is My Senior — We Can Reason Together”
De-escalating calls for an open political showdown with Oshiomhole, Minister Umahi highlighted their long-standing relationship across state and federal governance:
“They said I should go and debate with Oshiomhole. I cannot debate with Oshiomhole; I can reason with him. He’s my senior in governance. He’s also my senior in the legislature, and he’s my very good friend. We sat together when I was deputy governor and he was governor… I am presenting facts to Nigerians on what President Bola Tinubu is achieving across infrastructure corridors.” — David Umahi, Minister of Works
The Senate joint oversight committees are expected to engage the Ministry of Works on regional budget distributions as hearings continue at the National Assembly.
Ayodele Quadri
Correspondent
