Atiku’s Aide Questions Tinubu Government Over Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway Planning, Funding

Paul Ibe, media aide to African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar, has questioned the planning, funding and transparency surrounding the Federal Government’s 750-kilometre Lagos-Calabar coastal highway.

Ibe raised concerns over the project after Works Minister David Umahi explained that the highway’s engineering designs and costs were being developed section by section.

In a post on X, Ibe said his concern was not that different sections of the highway required separate designs. Rather, he questioned whether the government had an overall plan, reliable financing arrangements and a clear timeline for completing the entire project.

He called on the Federal Government to disclose the highway’s current estimated cost, the amount already committed to the project and the funding secured so far. He also demanded a clear completion date.

“Mr Minister, publish the coordinated route plan, sectional designs and costs, procurement records, environmental approvals, compensation obligations and financing arrangements,” Ibe wrote.

The ADC spokesperson also questioned the commencement of construction under provisional environmental approval while assessments were reportedly continuing on a section-by-section basis.

Ibe argued that the government should be able to provide a comprehensive account of the entire highway rather than rely solely on explanations about individual sections when questions arise over the project.

“Nigerians are not asking every kilometre to look alike. We are asking the government’s explanations to add up,” he said.

He added: “Public money deserves a clear plan—not a moving target.”

The Federal Government’s response to Ibe’s demands, including clarification of the overall financing plan and projected completion date, was not included in the report