Minister Umahi Orders Tinubu Photos on First Niger Bridge

Minister of Works David Umahi directed that photographs of President Bola Tinubu be displayed on the First Niger Bridge following the completion of rehabilitation works. During a Wednesday inspection of the structure, which links Anambra and Delta states, Umahi ordered the removal of illegal advertisements and instructed officials to beautify the bridge with the president's images to recognize federal infrastructure interventions.

The bridge had been closed since September 7, 2026, after vandals removed critical structural components, including bolts and expansion joints. While originally scheduled to reopen on September 21, persistent rainfall pushed the date to next week. Umahi stated the government would not succumb to pressure to reopen until major structural work meets engineering standards. New security measures include the installation of CCTV cameras and solar lighting, alongside the removal of roadblocks and tax collection points within 200 meters of the bridge to improve safety.

The directive has sparked political conflict. Ifeatu Obi-okoye of the All Progressives Grand Alliance supported the move as standard practice for federal establishments. However, critics including Ndubuisi Nwobu of the African Democratic Congress and Law Mefor, Anambra State Commissioner for Information, condemned the order as sycophancy, arguing that public funds, not personal wealth, paid for the repairs. Media commentator Reuben Abati described the exclusive use of the bridge for the president's posters as discriminatory.

Umahi used the inspection to appeal to South-East voters ahead of the 2027 presidential election, urging them not to throw away their votes.