PeakNews Online
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has condemned the N15.6 trillion Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project, calling it a wasteful and corrupt initiative.
He also criticized the Bola Tinubu administration for spending N21 billion on a new official residence for Vice President Kashim Shettima, describing it as a misplaced priority aimed at siphoning public funds.
Obasanjo’s comments are contained in chapter six of his newly launched book, ‘Nigeria: Past and Future,’ which was unveiled last week as part of his 88th birthday celebrations.
Obasanjo Blasts Tinubu’s Government
According to the former president, Tinubu’s government is focused on personal enrichment rather than national development. He accused the administration of short-changing over 230 million Nigerians, adding that the ruling elite operates on the principle of “It is my turn to chop.”
Obasanjo also criticized the awarding of the 700km Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway contract to Hitech Construction Company, owned by Gilbert Chagoury, a known business associate of Tinubu, without competitive bidding.
The Minister of Works, David Umahi, had earlier disclosed that the project would cost N4.93 billion per kilometre and was awarded under a counterpart-funding arrangement rather than a Public-Private Partnership (PPP).
“Most Nigerian Leaders Are Corrupt and Unfit” – Obasanjo
Obasanjo also took a swipe at past and present political office holders, stating that most of them are ill-prepared, self-serving, and corrupt. He accused governors and other politicians of embezzling public funds, using state resources for personal gain, and taking huge loans with the intention of repaying from public funds once in office.
He cited instances where governors, who were heavily indebted before assuming office, miraculously settled their debts within two years without any legitimate business operations.
He further lamented that some leaders engage in deception, fraudulent contract awards, and mismanagement of national assets, making them unfit for office.
Calls for a New African Democratic System
To address Nigeria’s governance crisis, Obasanjo suggested a review of the Western-style democracy being practised in the country. He proposed a system he termed “Afrodemocracy”, which would incorporate African values, culture, and history rather than blindly following Western democratic models that have failed to deliver good governance.
Despite these strong criticisms, Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga declined to comment on Obasanjo’s remarks when contacted.
