Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has challenged President Bola Tinubu to explain the reported rerouting of sections of the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway and allegations that the Federal Government is seeking to borrow up to $20 billion to finance obligations connected to the project.
Atiku also alleged that some members of the National Assembly were being pressured to approve the anticipated loan request through threats to withhold funds for their election campaigns.
The former Vice President raised the concerns in a statement issued on Monday by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the African Democratic Congress Presidential Campaign Council.
He accused the Tinubu administration of altering the highway’s original design without disclosing the financial implications, including payments already made to contractors and the revised project cost.
“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,” Atiku stated.
He challenged Works Minister David Umahi to publish the original engineering studies, revised route maps and contract variations, questioning whether adequate feasibility assessments preceded the award of the contract.
“You cannot change the work and refuse to change the Bill,” he declared.
Atiku particularly demanded clarification of reports that the administration was preparing a borrowing request of up to $20 billion, allegedly involving payments connected to Hitech Construction Company.
“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 said.
The former Vice President further alleged that lawmakers were being threatened with the withdrawal of campaign funding unless they supported the proposed borrowing.
He urged the National Assembly leadership to investigate the allegations and ensure transparency before considering additional financial commitments.
Atiku demanded the publication of feasibility and environmental studies, Bills of Quantities, procurement approvals, payment certificates and borrowing proposals associated with the highway.
He also called for a public hearing to establish the project’s actual financial obligations.
Describing the controversy as another example of policy inconsistency, Atiku accused the administration of announcing major projects, subsequently altering their implementation and leaving Nigerians to bear additional costs.
He insisted that no further borrowing should proceed without full disclosure of contractual commitments, payments already made and justification for additional financing.
The allegations concerning the proposed $20 billion loan and pressure on Lawmakers remain unverified.