The Founder of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, Chief Chekwas Okorie, has expressed disappointment over what he described as the distortion of facts and malicious propaganda surrounding the Lagos-Calabar Highway project.
He criticized these claims, asserting that they undermine the country’s development.
Okorie particularly took issue with the statement made by former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who labeled the project as “wasteful and a fraud.” He voiced his disagreement in light of Obasanjo’s recent public presentation of his book, which included these remarks about the highway project.
“The recent public presentation of former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s book wherein he described the Lagos-Calabar Highway as ‘wasteful and a fraud’ compelled me to weigh in on this debate. I have immense respect for President Obasanjo. In the absence of Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, the first republic president of Nigeria and Chief Obafemi Awolowo, the first republic Premier of the old Western Region, President Obasanjo unarguably is the most prolific author amongst Nigeria’s former Heads of State or Presidents on national issues since Nigeria’s independence in 1960,” Okorie stated.
He further emphasized the importance of the highway project, stating that once completed, it would be the largest federal government initiative in regions that have historically contributed significantly to Nigeria’s economic stability. Okorie added, “Finally, the Lagos-Calabar Highway, upon completion, will be the biggest federal government project in the areas that have over years provided the goose that always laid the golden eggs that sustained Nigeria. Any person from the seventeen states of southern Nigeria who is not supporting the construction of the Lagos-Calabar Highway should have a rethink.”
Okorie also urged President Tinubu to focus on revitalizing neglected sea ports in Warri, Bonny, Port Harcourt, Onne, Uyo, and Calabar. He concluded by suggesting that such efforts would cement the President’s legacy, stating, “Nigeria will record and remember you as the father of modern Nigeria.”
