By FrontNaija News Desk | June 7, 2025
A faction of the Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, has called on the National Assembly to initiate impeachment proceedings against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over the contentious Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project. The group alleges that the project is marred by legal violations, environmental concerns, and potential conflicts of interest.
⚖️ Allegations of Legal and Environmental Violations
Afenifere asserts that the $13 billion Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project breaches Nigeria’s Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Act, specifically Decree No. 86 of 1992, which mandates comprehensive environmental assessments for such large-scale projects. The group contends that the required Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) and Resettlement Action Plan (RAP) were not conducted before the project’s commencement, thereby violating legal procedures and endangering sensitive ecosystems along the proposed route.
“The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project is illegal, for not only breaching competitive tendering stipulations but for also contravening the Environmental Impact Assessment Act,” stated Prince Justice Faloye of Afenifere’s Publicity Department.
đź’° Concerns Over Procurement and Transparency
The group also raises concerns about the project’s procurement process, highlighting the absence of competitive bidding and transparency. The contract was awarded to Hitech Construction Company Limited, a firm reportedly linked to President Tinubu’s associates, without a transparent bidding process. This has led to allegations of nepotism and misuse of public funds.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar echoed these concerns, stating that the project was awarded “without any record of competitive bidding or a decision by the Federal Executive Council (FEC).”
🏗️ Economic and Environmental Implications
Afenifere criticizes the project’s economic rationale, arguing that the coastal highway offers less economic benefit compared to the previously proposed Lagos-Calabar Railway. The group suggests that the railway would have stimulated local economies across multiple towns, whereas the highway primarily traverses sparsely populated coastal areas.
“Why does the highway start at Chagoury’s Eko Hotel affecting huge dollars of tourist attractions, yet stops at no significant town of economic importance in Southwest?” questioned Prince Justice Faloye.
🏛️ Call for Legislative Action
In light of these allegations, Afenifere urges the National Assembly to fulfill its constitutional duty by investigating the project’s legality and considering impeachment proceedings against President Tinubu. The group emphasizes the need for accountability and adherence to legal and environmental standards in national projects.
“The Tinubu government must halt this illegal Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway with no economic benefit,” asserted Afenifere.
🏛️ Government’s Response
In response to the criticisms, the Federal Government, through the Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, defended the project’s integrity, stating that the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway is neither wasteful nor corrupt. Umahi urged Nigerians to disregard comments suggesting otherwise, emphasizing the project’s potential to enhance national infrastructure and economic growth.
đź“Ś Conclusion
The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project continues to generate significant debate, with Afenifere’s call for President Tinubu’s impeachment adding a new dimension to the controversy. As the National Assembly considers its next steps, the project remains under intense public scrutiny, reflecting broader concerns about governance, transparency, and environmental stewardship in Nigeria.
*For more updates on this developing story, stay tuned to FrontNaija News.*
