Atiku Questions Tinubu Over Lagos- Calabar Highway Rerouting, Raises Alarm Over Proposed $20bn Loan
Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has questioned the Federal Government’s decision to reroute parts of the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway amid reports of a proposed $20 billion loan.
The Minister of Works, David Umahi, had announced that President Bola Tinubu approved rerouting the highway through the existing East-West Road, from Ondo State into Edo State. The development comes amid reports that the Presidency is seeking National Assembly approval for a fresh $20 billion loan linked to the project.
In a statement on Monday, Atiku demanded the release of the original and revised engineering studies, contract details and payment records, arguing that any change to the project’s route should come with a transparent review of its cost.
He also questioned whether the government had adequately assessed the project before awarding the contract, describing the development as another example of what he called Tinubu’s “Yahoo-Yahoo” style of governance.
Atiku further demanded clarification on whether a $20 billion borrowing request was being prepared, whether any part of the funds would go to contractor Hitech, and what certified work would justify the proposed payments.
He urged the Federal Government to publish the proposed loan details, the contracts it would finance and records of payments already made, insisting that Nigerians deserved clear answers about the project’s cost and changes.
