The apex Igbo socio-political group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has said that if the President Bola Tinubu administration achieves the construction of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, it will be the final nail on the ambition of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to stand for his last presidential bid in 2027.
Ohanaeze Ndigbo said this in a statement in the early hours of Monday by its Secretary General, Okechukwu Isiguzoro.
It said: “In the realm of Nigerian politics, a seismic shift is underway, reverberating through the corridors of power and capturing the attention of astute observers. At the heart of this transformation lies the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road project, a monumental endeavour that, if brought to fruition, could reshape the political landscape and recalibrate the fortunes of key players, notably the 2023 PDP Presidential Candidate and The Waziri of Adamawa, Atiku Abubakar.
“As Nigerians and, more specifically, Ndigbo, bear witness to the unfolding drama, questions abound regarding the enigma surrounding a Coastal Superhighway that promises manifold economic benefits for the poor Nigerians. Yet, paradoxically, this initiative has metamorphosed into a nightmare for opposition politicians, casting a shadow, especially over Atiku Abubakar’s political ambitions.”
Mazi Isiguzoro said Ohanaeze Ndigbo has meticulously analysed the “labyrinthine processes underpinning the inception of the 700km Coastal Lagos-Calabar route”, adding that the presidential endorsement of the N15 trillion investment and subsequent assignment of contracts to Hi-Tech Company, compliant with legal protocols, “mark the genesis of a monumental undertaking.
“The measured pace of road construction, priced at N4 billion per kilometer, has sown seeds of trepidation within opposition circles, foreseeing a potential disruption to the political equilibrium.
“The spectre haunting the opposition, particularly about President Tinubu’s prospective legacy in presiding over the project’s completion before the 2027 elections under the aegis of Minister of Works, Senator Dave Umahi, poses a cogent threat to Atiku Abubakar’s final bid for the presidential mantle in 2027, an endeavour fraught with the perils of advancing age.
“The ongoing construction efforts, diligently overseen by Hi-Tech Company, have garnered favour among Nigerians, reinforced by Minister Umahi’s illuminating discourse on the genesis of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road through NDDC’s (Niger Delta Development Commission) inception during the Goodluck Jonathan era.”
The statement said Ohanaeze Ndigbo is elated by the adept manner in which Umahi dispelled controversies encircling the Lagos-Calabar Road project.
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It said it is incumbent upon Nigerians to uphold the sanctity of Umahi’s endeavours and “shield them from undue distractions orchestrated by sponsored malcontents”, urging patience and strategic timing for future engagements.
The statement enjoined Abubakar to pray for the success of President Tinubu and Umahi “in delivering the myriad ongoing road projects” inherited from former President Muhammadu Buhari, adding: “Minister Umahi’s stewardship, underscored by a presidential mandate for innovative cement technology, heralds a renaissance of infrastructure developmentalism fostering economic durability and enhancing the prosperity of all Nigerians.”
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