Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has challenged President Bola Tinubu to explain changes to the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and clarify reports of a proposed $20 billion loan linked to the project.
Atiku, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, made the demand in a statement on Monday, following Works Minister David Umahi’s announcement that sections of the highway would be rerouted through the existing East-West Road from Ondo State into Edo State.
Umahi said the decision was intended to avoid constructing a new route through difficult terrain and address flooding concerns along the existing road corridor.
Atiku said the route change raised questions about the original design, contract costs, and payments already made. He urged the Federal Government to publish the initial feasibility studies, revised designs, contract details, and expenditure records.
He also asked Tinubu to clarify whether the government was preparing to seek a $20 billion loan from the National Assembly and disclose how the proposed borrowing would be used.
Atiku alleged that lawmakers were being pressured to approve the reported loan, insisting that Nigerians deserved transparency before the country took on additional debt.
The reported $20 billion loan proposal has not been independently confirmed in the sources reviewed. The Federal Government has cited engineering challenges and flooding risks as reasons for the highway’s revised alignment.
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