Lagos-Calabar highway diversion may undermine 2027 elections - PANDEF youths warn Nigerian govt

The National Youth Wing of the Pan Niger Delta Forum, PANDEF, has warned the Nigerian government that altering the course of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway could have political ramifications for the administration in the upcoming 2027 elections. At a press conference in Benin City, DonBen Donyegha, the National Youth Leader, criticized the Federal Government's decision to redesign and reroute the highway, emphasizing that it was not merely an engineering adjustment but a fundamental betrayal of the project's purpose and the communities whose lands contribute significantly to Nigeria's economy.

Donyegha stated that failure to reverse the decision could lead to reactions from youths and communities across the Niger Delta, potentially undermining the region's peace and security and impacting the administration's electoral prospects. He highlighted that the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway was envisioned as a transformative artery connecting Lagos, the littoral states, and the Niger Delta communities to Calabar, acknowledging the historical exploitation and underdevelopment of these riverine and coastal communities.

Donyegha argued that rerouting the highway through the neglected East-West Road would be contrary to the original promise and demands of justice, as the East-West Road had long symbolized neglect and broken promises. He called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to personally intervene and reverse the diversion, restore the original coastal vision of the Lagos-Calabar Highway, and engage constructively with affected communities and stakeholders.