Obi Receives Warning from Niger Delta Youths for Criticizing Lagos-Calabar Road Project

Peter Obi has expressed concerns about the Lagos-Calabar Highway project, suggesting that it may not be the most pressing need for the Federal Government to address.

The Niger Delta youth organization, 21st Century Youths of Niger Delta and Agitators with Conscience (21st CYNDAC), has issued a stern message to Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s candidate in the previous presidential election, advising him to stop criticizing the Lagos-Calabar Highway project.

They also warned other detractors of the significant project to stop trying to dissuade the Federal Government from completing what they consider to be a groundbreaking development for the oil-rich region.

This was revealed in a statement by Izon Ebi, the coordinator of 21st CYNDAC, which was shared on the social media page of Bayo Onanuga, President Bola Tinubu’s media advisor.

The youth praised President Tinubu for endorsing the highway project, which will span eight states, including the coastal areas of the six Niger Delta states.

The group hailed the highway project as a strategic move by the current government and cautioned critics against undermining its potential benefits. Obi, alongside Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has raised several issues with the contentious road project.

Atiku questioned the government about the project’s expense, while Obi was primarily concerned with the demolition of properties that accommodate businesses worth millions to make way for the highway.

Obi, who once governed Anambra State, also criticized the Lagos-Calabar Highway project as being less critical than other neglected road projects that are vital to the country’s economy.

Other Nigerians have also questioned the government’s urgency in starting the project, wondering why it couldn’t begin at the Calabar end, where it would not affect any properties.

In contrast, the Niger Delta youths have disputed the critics’ points. Ebi emphasized that the completed Lagos-Calabar Highway is expected to significantly boost the economy and revive tourism in the Niger Delta region.

The group was surprised that there were objections to what they see as the President’s commendable economic initiative.

“We are forced to wonder if it’s because the project is not sited in their region or they can no more hide their hate and disdain for the Niger Delta people. We the people of the Niger Delta support the President’s noble stride, and, on this note, send clear warnings to haters of the Niger Delta to steer clear,” the statement read.