A faction of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, led by its Deputy President-General, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, and National Spokesperson, Chinyereze Ohia, has called on student associations to cancel their planned February 4th protests against the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi.
The student groups scheduled to protest include the National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS), the National Association of Nigerian Colleges of Education Students (NANCES), and the National Association of Nigerian University Students (NAUS). The protests were planned over the poor condition of federal roads across Nigeria.
Ohanaeze warned the students against being used as “political instruments” by opponents of President Bola Tinubu to discredit the Minister of Works. The faction argued that the roads in question are not neglected but are actively undergoing construction under the government’s development agenda.
To illustrate progress, the statement cited key projects:
- The Enugu-Onitsha Expressway is reportedly on track for completion in April 2026.
- The East-West Expressway, which was neglected for years, is now being revitalized under Umahi’s personal monitoring.
- Significant efforts are also being made on the Abuja-Lokoja-Okene Expressway.
Ohanaeze implored the student bodies to choose dialogue over politically motivated demonstrations, emphasizing that Umahi has been demonstrating exemplary performance. The group also pointed to the appointments of Igbo indigenes in the state government and the construction of a general hospital in Okpoko as evidence of the administration’s goodwill towards the Igbo people.
