The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has clarified the reason behind President Bola Tinubu’s absence from his scheduled visit to Abia State on Friday, attributing it to the burial of Nana Lydia Yildawa, mother of the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yildawa.
Umahi, who represented the President during the visit, said Tinubu was unavoidably absent as he needed to attend the burial ceremony.
“The President asked me to inform you that he will visit Abia later this year, most likely in December. He would have been here himself, but unfortunately, our National Chairman lost his mother, who is being buried tomorrow (Saturday), and it is only right that the President attends,” Umahi explained.
Tinubu was billed to commission several completed projects executed by Governor Alex Otti, including Port Harcourt Road, Ohanku Road, Ajiwe Street, Ndoki Road by East, Peoples Road, Gabriel Nwosu Road, Nkoro Road, Umuatako Road, and the Michael Okpara Auditorium.
In a message delivered on his behalf, President Tinubu commended Governor Otti for his developmental strides, describing his efforts as a commendable step toward rebuilding Abia State.
Meanwhile, some opposition members in Abia had earlier taken to social media to celebrate the President’s absence, following news that he had sent a representative for the visit.