UMAHI's COASTAL ROAD: PAVING THE PATH TO NATIONAL UNITY AND APC's 2027 VICTORY
- Our NationNigeria
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
By Ebi Ajali Ebi
A Road Project That Transcends Infrastructure
As Nigeria charts a course toward 2027, infrastructure has become more than just development, it’s turning into political capital. The ongoing Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, spearheaded by the Minister of Works, Senator Engineer David Nweze Umahi, CON is fast becoming a national symbol of unity and progress.
Spanning approximately 700 kilometers, the highway is set to connect key coastal states, unlocking economic growth and regional integration. For Umahi and the All Progressives Congress (APC), it could also serve as a strategic tool to cement political goodwill and potentially shape the narrative for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s reelection bid.
Connecting Regions, Fueling Growth
Designed to stretch from Lagos to Calabar, the Coastal Highway will pass through several states, including Ogun, Ondo, Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, and Akwa Ibom. The route promises to:
Boost tourism along Nigeria’s scenic southern coastline
Facilitate interstate trade and logistics
Create thousands of jobs in construction and ancillary sectors
Bridge the infrastructure gap between coastal and inland economies
This project isn't just a development initiative, it’s a nation-building effort, one that could reshape perceptions in often-neglected regions.
Strategic Infrastructure, Strategic Timing
Large-scale infrastructure has always played a crucial role in Nigeria’s electoral politics. In this case, the Coastal Highway doubles as a political statement: the Tinubu administration delivers results.
While critics argue about the cost and environmental impact, supporters hail it as a masterstroke ahead of 2027. It’s particularly strategic for the APC to deliver a high-impact project in the southern regions, many of which are politically competitive.
The optics of unity and inclusion, combined with actual economic benefits, will give the APC a broader electoral base than in 2023.
Umahi: The Engineer-Politician in the Spotlight
Senator Dave Umahi has emerged as a standout figure in President Tinubu’s cabinet. A former governor of Ebonyi State, Umahi is known for his engineering expertise and no-nonsense leadership style.
His hands-on supervision of road projects and regular public updates have boosted public confidence in the Works Ministry. In championing the Coastal Road, Umahi is not only building infrastructure—he's building his national profile.
Laying the Groundwork for APC’s 2027 Strategy
With 2027 on the horizon, the APC understands that political rhetoric must be backed by tangible progress. The Coastal Highway project could become:
A flagship achievement of the Tinubu administration
A campaign centerpiece for reelection
A symbol of inclusiveness, showing that the APC is committed to all regions
If the project remains on track, it could significantly shape voter sentiment, especially among youth, entrepreneurs, and communities along the corridor.
A Road to Unity—and Victory
The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway is more than an infrastructure milestone; it’s a political instrument, an economic engine, and a vision of unity in asphalt and concrete.
For Minister Umahi, it’s a legacy project. For President Tinubu and the APC, it will be the gateway to 2027 victory.
As construction progresses, one thing is clear: this is not just a road—it’s a pathway to national cohesion and political momentum.
Ebi Ajali Ebi
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