Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has condemned the N15.6 trillion Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project, describing it as a wasteful and corrupt initiative.
He also criticized President Bola Tinubu’s administration for allocating N21 billion to build a new official residence for Vice President Kashim Shettima, calling it a misplaced priority and a conduit for siphoning public funds.
Obasanjo made these remarks in chapter six of his new book, Nigeria: Past and Future, where he analyzed the leadership styles of executives at both federal and state levels.
The book was among two released to commemorate his 88th birthday last week.
Minister of Works, David Umahi, recently announced that the 700km Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway would cost N4.93 billion per kilometer. According to him, the project was awarded on a counterpart-funding basis rather than a Public-Private Partnership.
The Federal Government has already released N1.06 trillion for the pilot phase, covering just six percent of the project. This initial segment starts at Eko Atlantic and extends to the Lekki Deep Sea Port.
However, concerns have been raised about the contract’s transparency. Prominent figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, have questioned why the contract was awarded to Gilbert Chagoury’s Hitech Construction Company without competitive bidding. Chagoury is widely known as a close associate and longtime business partner of President Tinubu.
Reflecting on Tinubu’s time in office, Obasanjo remarked that the culture of short-changing Nigerians remains unchanged.
He claimed that governance under the current administration is purely transactional, operating under the mantra, “It is my turn to chop.”
When contacted for a response, presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga declined to comment on Obasanjo’s criticisms.
The former president did not mince words when addressing Nigeria’s leadership failures.
He accused many past and present officeholders—governors, ministers, and even local government officials—of being ill-prepared, self-serving, and primarily focused on personal enrichment at the nation’s expense.
He expressed concerns that many politicians borrow billions to fund their election campaigns, knowing they will repay the debts using public funds once in power.
“How do you explain a situation where a governor, deeply indebted to banks before taking office, clears all those debts within two years—without his business engaging in any new ventures?” Obasanjo questioned.
According to him, such leaders exploit public resources during their second term, silencing whistleblowers and distributing meager benefits to associates to secure their loyalty.
Obasanjo further criticized leaders who deceive the public about government contracts, agreements, borrowings, and the sale of national assets.
He cited the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road project and the Vice President’s N21 billion residence as prime examples of wasteful spending and misplaced priorities, especially at a time when the country faces severe economic hardship.
To address these governance challenges, he called for a reevaluation of Nigeria’s political system, arguing that Western liberal democracy has failed to deliver results.
“If even Western nations complain that their system isn’t working well for them, we should be wise enough to rethink our approach. We need a model that aligns with African history, culture, and characteristics—what I call Afrodemocracy,” he stated.
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