The presidential candidate of the People’s Redemption Party (PRP) and former Cross River State Governor, Donald Duke, has questioned the feasibility and economic justification of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, arguing that Nigeria cannot afford the project amid its pressing developmental challenges.
Duke made the remarks while featuring on Arise News Primetime on Tuesday, where he discussed the country’s economic situation, infrastructure development and his plans ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
The former governor argued that rather than embarking on a new coastal highway, the Federal Government should concentrate on rehabilitating existing roads and investing in sectors he described as more critical to the country’s development.
“There is already a road from Lagos to Calabar; if the road is poor, fix it,” Duke said.
He questioned the allocation of huge resources to the coastal highway, saying the money could produce greater impact if channelled into electricity generation and healthcare.
“There are some expenditures we make that do not reflect the realities of our circumstances. The amount spent on that road could be better spent providing electricity or upgrading the healthcare system,” he stated.
Duke also expressed doubts about the project’s ability to reach its proposed destination, saying he was not convinced that the road would extend beyond Epe in Lagos State.
“I don’t think the road will go beyond Epe,” he said.
The PRP presidential candidate’s criticism comes amid ongoing debate over the cost, design, execution and economic viability of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, one of the Federal Government’s major infrastructure projects.
Duke also explained his decision to return to active politics, saying the urgency of Nigeria’s current situation compelled him to seek political office again.
According to him, Nigerians cannot afford to remain spectators while the country continues on what he described as a dangerous trajectory.
“I returned to politics because of the urgency of where we are in Nigeria today; disaster is looming if we don’t change trajectory,” he said.
Duke said individuals could either remain outside the political process and continue analysing the country’s problems or become directly involved in efforts to change its direction.
“You could be a spectator and make all sorts of analyses, or you could get involved. The direction the country is going requires urgent intervention,” he stated.
The former governor is expected to make infrastructure, economic development, electricity, healthcare and broader governance reforms key components of his campaign ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
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