Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has demanded explanations from President Bola Tinubu’s administration over plans to reroute sections of the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway, alongside allegations of a proposed $20 billion loan linked to the project.
Atiku, through Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) Presidential Campaign Council, also alleged that some lawmakers were being pressured to approve the anticipated borrowing request and urged the National Assembly to investigate.
Questioning the proposed route changes, Atiku demanded the publication of the original and revised designs, project costs and payments already made.
“Tinubu sold Nigerians a coastal highway. Now his Minister says parts of it will follow an existing road inland. That is not a minor adjustment to a drawing. It strikes at the promise used to sell this enormous project. When the route changes, the price must be opened. When the work changes, the payments must be explained,” he said.
He challenged Works Minister David Umahi to release the original engineering studies and revised designs, citing concerns about swamps, bridges and flood risks.
Atiku also asked the government to clarify whether a $20 billion borrowing request was being prepared for the National Assembly and whether any part of the proposed loan would finance payments to Hitech Construction Company.
“Tinubu must answer this himself. Is a US$20 billion request being prepared for the National Assembly? Is any part of that money meant for Hitech? What contract, what section of road and what certified work would justify the payment?” he asked.
The former vice president further alleged that some lawmakers had been threatened with the withholding of campaign funds unless they approved the anticipated request promptly.
He called on the National Assembly leadership to investigate the allegation and ensure lawmakers received the proposed loan terms and relevant project accounts before any vote.
Atiku also demanded the release of the highway’s feasibility and environmental studies, route maps, Bills of Quantities, contract variations, Bureau of Public Procurement approvals, payment certificates and any borrowing proposals associated with the project.
He called for a public hearing before the legislature considers further financing for the highway, insisting that any changes to the project’s scope and cost must be transparently accounted for.
“An Atiku administration will budget capital projects transparently, account for every change in scope and cost, and subject spending to independent audit. Nigerians are not against roads. They are against secret bills for changing plans. Tinubu must show the route, show the accounts and show the loan request,” he said.
Atiku concluded by demanding explanations for the route changes, project expenditure and alleged borrowing proposal, adding: “Enough of grand announcements followed by expensive surprises. Tinubu must go.”
The claims concerning the proposed $20 billion loan and alleged pressure on lawmakers were made by Atiku’s campaign council and were not independently established in the statement.
