Former Cross River State Governor and 2027 presidential candidate, Donald Duke, has criticised the Federal Government’s Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project, describing it as an expensive undertaking that does not reflect Nigeria’s most pressing economic needs.
Speaking during an interview on Arise News, Duke argued that the country lacks the financial capacity to sustain a project of such magnitude amid mounting economic challenges, including inadequate electricity supply, struggling healthcare systems and underfunded education.
According to him, the coastal terrain between Lagos and Calabar would make the project technically difficult and significantly more expensive than conventional road construction.
“I know the country cannot afford it,” Duke said, questioning the wisdom of building a highway through swampy coastal areas that would require numerous bridges and extensive engineering works.
The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway is one of the Federal Government’s flagship infrastructure projects designed to connect coastal states and boost trade, tourism and economic activities across the southern corridor.
However, Duke maintained that the resources earmarked for the project would have a greater impact if channelled towards sectors capable of improving productivity and living standards.
He argued that Nigeria already has road links connecting the southern region to Calabar and suggested that upgrading existing infrastructure would be a more practical approach to improving transportation.
“There’s some expenditure we make that does not reflect the realities of our circumstance. You’ve got to prioritise,” he said.
The former governor identified electricity as a critical area requiring urgent attention, noting that improved power supply would stimulate business growth, support industrialisation and create jobs.
Duke also expressed concern over high interest rates, which he said continue to hinder businesses from accessing affordable credit and expanding operations.
He further argued that Nigeria’s economy has failed to keep pace with its growing population, stressing the need for policies that address productivity, job creation and sustainable economic growth.
Reflecting on his tenure as governor of Cross River State, Duke said initiatives such as the Calabar Carnival and the development of Obudu Mountain Resort were designed to leverage the state’s tourism potential and stimulate economic activity.
He noted that similar strategic thinking should guide national spending decisions, with government investments aligned to areas that deliver the greatest economic benefits.
Duke, who will fly the flag of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) in the 2027 presidential election, also called for reforms in security, governance and the judiciary, including the adoption of state policing and the reduction of governance costs through a unicameral legislature.
His remarks add to the growing debate surrounding the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, with supporters describing it as a transformative infrastructure project while critics question its cost and priority amid current economic realities.
