From Nwogha Ndubuisi, Abakaliki
Minister of Works and former Ebonyi State governor, Senator David Umahi has praised President Bola Tinubu for fostering what he described as an “unprecedented” level of interfaith harmony and national integration.
Umahi stated this during the 2025 Sallah celebration organised for the Muslim community in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital.
He highlighted the administration’s religious and ethnic inclusiveness, which he said has reached an excellent level and worthy of emulation.
According to him,“The relationship between faiths in Nigeria is better now. It surprised many Christians when the president led a Nigerian delegation to the Pope’s inauguration. That was very unique and historic.”
The minister emphasised that the foundation of all religions is love, urging Nigerians to focus on common values rather than differences. “We all serve one God in different ways. Both Muslims and Christians preach love and the fear of God,” he stated.
Addressing concerns over the initial Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket, Umahi cited religious balance in federal appointments as a significant indicator of inclusiveness.
“Christians currently hold about 62 percent of appointments under President Tinubu, while Muslims hold about 38 percent. That shows national cohesion in practice,” he explained.
The minister pointed to growing interreligious collaboration in the South East, noting Christian participation in Muslim festivities as a sign of deepening unity.
While the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, received a late notice for the event, several Christian leaders—including the CAN Chairman in the South East, Reverend Father Abraham Nwali—attended in solidarity.
Shifting to infrastructure, the minister credited Tinubu with reversing years of federal neglect in the South East. “Before now, many states had no federal projects. But today, federal presence is visible across the region. That is true national integration,” Umahi said.
He lauded the president for appointing South East natives to top positions—including himself as minister of works, chief of naval staff and the minister of science and technology—describing them as meaningful steps toward reintegrating the region into national governance.
“We lost political ground in the past, but this government is bringing us back. It is not yet perfect, but we are no longer behind. We must acknowledge that and support the president,” Umahi urged.
He called on the people to reject divisive narratives and focus instead on constructive engagement with the federal government. “We need reintegration, not isolation. President Tinubu has started this process—we must not waste the opportunity,” he said.
Reaffirming his loyalty to President Tinubu, Umahi commended his unwavering support for the Ministry of Works, calling it a reflection of sincere national leadership. “If you betray such a man, you betray God and Nigeria. I serve both God and the president,” he declared.
Muslim leaders in Ebonyi including Sariki Danjuma Gambo and Salis Mohammed echoed Umahi’s sentiments, commending the peaceful co-existence on display and pledged their full support for President Tinubu’s second-term bid in 2027.
