Group Demands Umahi’s Resignation, Termination Of Kaduna – Abuja Road Contract

The Arewa Youth Assembly (AYA) has demanded the resignation of the Minister of Works, Engr. David Nweze Umahi, over what it described as the “inefficient management and supervision” of the Kaduna–Abuja expressway project.

In a letter dated November 18, 2025, and addressed to the Minister, the youth group also called for the immediate termination of the contract awarded to Infioquest International Limited, accusing the firm of failing to demonstrate capacity despite allegedly receiving substantial mobilisation funds.

The Kaduna–Abuja expressway—one of the nation’s most strategic road corridors linking nearly 12 northern states to the Federal Capital Territory—has remained in deplorable condition, the group said, resulting in fatal accidents, bandit attacks, long travel delays, and significant economic losses.

The petition, signed by the speaker of the Assembly, Mohammed Salihu Danlami, expressed growing frustration over the pace of work on the project, 11 months after the Ministry of Works revoked the contract from Julius Berger and re-awarded it to Infioquest International Limited.

The group recalled that Umahi had, during the inauguration of the contract seven months earlier, announced a project cost of ₦500 billion, with 30 percent—about ₦150 billion—already paid to the contractor. He also stated that the project was expected to be completed within 14 months and that 38km of reinforced concrete pavement was ready for commissioning.

However, the youth group insisted that “there is a conspicuous absence of verifiable evidence” to support these claims.

“As regular users of the road, we doubt these assertions. Such a critical claim demands transparency, accuracy, and demonstrable proof,” the letter reads.

The Assembly demanded a publicly accessible explanation detailing the exact kilometres completed, locations of ongoing works, and the current status of every section under contract.

AYA maintained that the poor condition of the Kaduna–Abuja expressway contradicts President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda on infrastructure development and public safety, warning that continued stagnation of the project “creates the perception of indifference or incompetence at the Ministry of Works.”

The group accused the minister of failing to use his engineering expertise to ensure proper monitoring of the project, insisting that the interest and safety of northern commuters have been neglected.

As part of its demands, the Arewa Youth Assembly called for: Immediate termination of the contract awarded to Infioquest International Limited and the resignation of the Minister of Works, stating that it has “lost absolute confidence” in Umahi’s capacity to supervise projects under his care.

The group warned that failure to meet these demands would compel its members to “occupy” the Ministry of Works in protest.

Copies of the petition were also forwarded to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Northern Governors Forum, the Northern Caucuses of both chambers of the National Assembly, and the Northern Elders Forum.

AYA described the situation as one of urgent national concern and called for swift action to prevent further loss of lives and economic dislocation along the critical route.