• Questions route changes, demands contract accounts, public hearing
From Ndubuisi Orji, Abuja
African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has alleged that some members of the National Assembly are being threatened with the withholding of election campaign funds unless they approve a proposed $20 billion loan linked to payments for the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway.
The former vice president demanded that President Bola Tinubu clarify whether such a borrowing request was being prepared and disclose the contracts, road sections and certified work it would finance.
In a statement issued by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, Atiku also questioned the Federal Government’s decision to reroute sections of the highway through the existing East-West Road from Ondo State into Edo State.
Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, had announced the planned diversion of some sections of the project.
Atiku said the changes raised questions about who approved the original route, what work was awarded, how much had been paid and who would account for any difference arising from the revised alignment.
“Tinubu sold Nigerians a coastal highway. Now his Minister says parts of it will follow an existing road inland. That is not a minor adjustment to a drawing. It strikes at the promise used to sell this enormous project. When the route changes, the price must be opened. When the work changes, the payments must be explained,” he said.
Questioning the planning that preceded the contract award, he demanded the publication of the original studies and revised engineering documents.
“What kind of government boasts about a coastal highway before it can defend the route? Did Tinubu’s team study the swamps, bridges and flood risks before awarding the contract, or did it sign first and start thinking later?
“Minister David Umahi should stop offering engineering explanations without the engineering documents. Publish the original studies. Publish the revised design. Let Nigerians see what this government knew and when it knew it.”
Atiku alleged that the development reflected a pattern of “a grand announcement, a changed promise and a bill the public is forbidden to inspect,” arguing that Nigerians deserved a full account of the financial implications of the route changes.
“If work on the original route will no longer be done, what has been removed from the contract? How much has already been paid? What is the revised price? You cannot change the work and refuse to change the bill,” he said.
On the alleged borrowing plan, Atiku said information received by his campaign raised concerns about whether the government intended to secure approval before allowing scrutiny.
“Tinubu must answer this himself. Is a US$20 billion request being prepared for the National Assembly? Is any part of that money meant for Hitech? What contract, what section of road and what certified work would justify the payment?
“Do not hide a contractor’s bill inside a national borrowing request. Publish the proposed loan, the contract it would finance and the record of what has already been paid. If no such request exists, say so plainly and on the record.”
He called on the leadership of the National Assembly to investigate the alleged threats against lawmakers and ensure that any financing proposal received public scrutiny.
“We are informed that some lawmakers have been warned that funds for their election campaigns will be withheld unless they pass this request with the speed of light. Who is making that threat? Whose money is being promised or withheld? And why should any legislator’s campaign depend on voting to put Nigerians in debt?
“The leadership of the National Assembly must investigate this immediately. Every lawmaker should have the proposed terms, the project accounts and the time to examine both in public. Those facing threats should place them on the record.”
Atiku demanded the publication of the original feasibility and environmental studies, original and revised route maps, Bills of Quantities, contract variations, Bureau of Public Procurement approvals, payment certificates and all borrowing proposals connected to the highway.
He also called for a public hearing before the National Assembly considers further financing for the project.
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