{
  "id": 174084,
  "title": "Tinubu’s aide faults Donald Duke on Lagos-Calabar Highway criticism",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/05/tinubus-aide-faults-donald-duke-on-lagos-calabar-highway-criticism",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-05T12:50:59.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Punch Nigeria",
    "slug": "punch-nigeria",
    "url": "https://punchng.com/tinubus-aide-faults-donald-duke-on-lagos-calabar-highway-criticism/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "On Wednesday, Temitope Ajayi, President Bola Tinubu's Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, responded to remarks made by Donald Duke regarding the financial implications of the Lagos-Calabar Highway. Duke, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Redemption Party, had criticized the Federal Government's investment in the N15 trillion project during an interview with Arise News on Tuesday. He argued that the money spent on the highway could be better allocated to other sectors like electricity generation or healthcare improvement. Duke also insisted that the highway would not extend beyond the Epe area of Lagos State, citing the existence of an existing road connecting Lagos to Calabar. This assertion was contested by Ajayi, who clarified that progress had been made on the highway, reaching Ogun State and continuing to advance in neighboring states of Ondo and Akwa-Ibom.",
  "summary": "President Tinubu’s aide, Temitope Ajayi, responds to Donald Duke’s criticism of the Lagos-Calabar Highway project, clarifying its progress and financial im Read More: https://punchng.com/tinubus-aide-faults-donald-duke-on-lagos-calabar-highway-criticism/",
  "key_points": [
    "Tinubu's aide defends highway project against Duke's criticism.",
    "Duke argues highway funds could better support healthcare and electricity.",
    "Ajayi clarifies highway extends beyond Epe, progressing in Ogun, Ondo, Akwa-Ibom."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Punch Nigeria",
        "title": "Umahi slams critics of Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/06/umahi-slams-critics-of-lagos-calabar-coastal-highway",
        "published": "2026-08-06T17:14:37.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}