Nigerian Presidency Refutes Donald Duke's Highway Project Criticism

The Presidency of Nigeria has refuted criticisms from Donald Duke, the former governor of Cross River State and presidential candidate for the Peoples Redemption Party, regarding the 750-kilometre Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway. During an interview on Arise Television, Duke characterized the flagship infrastructure project as a "misplaced priority," arguing that Nigeria cannot afford it given current economic realities. He questioned the engineering feasibility of the route, specifically noting that the swampy terrain of Bayelsa would require excessive bridging, and predicted the road would not extend beyond Epe in Lagos State.

Duke advocated for the rehabilitation of existing roads and the redirection of highway funds toward healthcare, education, and affordable energy. He described the previous year's capital budget for health as "pathetic" for a population of 230 million people and called for a recalibration of the national revenue system to reduce reliance on corporate profit taxes.

Temitope Ajayi, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, responded via X by stating that Duke was "arguing against reality" and attributing the comments to "bad politics." Ajayi contradicted Duke's assertions about the project's reach, asserting that construction has already progressed into Ogun State and that work is ongoing in the Ondo and Akwa Ibom sections. Ajayi further dismissed Duke's political platform as "unviable."