Umahi Can Conquer Nigeria’s Road Problems Like David Did Goliath — Opposition Parties

Prominent opposition parties on Thursday urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to replicate the swift intervention used in restoring the Keffi Overhead Bridge across federal road projects nationwide.

The leaders, who accompanied the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, to the commissioning of the repaired Keffi bridge, commended the federal government for the speedy restoration of the structure, which was severely damaged on 17 July 2025 after an overloaded truck carrying an excavator struck it and dislodged key beams.

Under the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Works, CGC (Nigeria) Limited executed emergency repairs, replaced the damaged beam, and restored the bridge’s structural integrity within three months.

Representatives of major opposition parties, including Segun Showunmi of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr Kanti Uthman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Hon. Sunday Ayeni of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), and Engr Musa Zubairu of the Action Alliance (AA), commended both the President and the Minister for delivering a quality job in record time.

They also accompanied the minister to inspect the Abuja-Kaduna-Kano highway.

Showunmi, who described the intervention as a remarkable achievement, noted that the speed of the repairs reflects the government’s readiness to close Nigeria’s infrastructure gap.

He said, “As Goliath was defeated by David, so also our infrastructure deficit can be defeated with this kind of prompt action.”

ADC’s Uthman, an architect, described the project as world-class, recalling recent improvements he observed on the Abuja–Kaduna–Kano corridor.

“Four months ago, there was no road here. Today, this is a transformation,” he stated.

NNPP’s Ayeni, while expressing gratitude for the Keffi bridge repairs, urged the federal government to extend similar urgency to roads leading to Kwara State and other parts of the country.

Also, Zubairu, who echoed the call, noted that visible progress across several road corridors should be complemented with expanded opportunities for indigenous construction firms.