A faction of the Pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, has criticised what it describes as excessive publicity and political noise surrounding the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project initiated by President Bola Tinubu’s administration.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The group, aligned with the late Pa Ayo Adebanjo, argued that most of the federal road infrastructure projects are characterised more by media hype than substantive delivery.

Chief Sola Ebiseni, Secretary-General of the faction, made these remarks during a press briefing in Akure, the capital of Ondo State, on Tuesday.

“I acknowledge the administration’s significant steps, particularly in road infrastructure development,” Ebiseni said. “However, these efforts are often overshadowed by loud political fanfare, inconsistent policies, and undue politicisation.”

Citing the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway as an example, Ebiseni revealed that historical records trace the road’s conception as far back as 1900, when the Ilaje coastal region—now part of Ondo State—was still within the Lagos Colony.

“There was already a telegraphic line running from Lagos through Ilaje to Warri, along the Atlantic corridor. The road was designed to follow this same path, linking Lagos Colony with the Southern Protectorate, which had its headquarters in Calabar,” he explained.

He added that a formal agreement on the route was signed on January 12, 1904, between Sir William Macgregor, Governor of Lagos Colony, and Sir Wyndham Roseberry, Governor of the Southern Protectorate.

Commending President Tinubu for reviving the project, Ebiseni stated, “If fully executed, this road would be among the most transformative infrastructure projects, especially for the Niger Delta region.”

However, the group rejected reported plans by the Federal Government to exclude Ondo State from the route, citing recent comments by Minister of Works, David Umahi, suggesting the alignment would not follow the coastline through Ondo and Delta States.

Ebiseni responded strongly: “Why should the road bypass the oil-producing communities that provide the financial lifeblood of the country? Are we to believe this is just a scheme to boost Lagos’s real estate interests?”

He continued, “The coastal communities were initially excited by the prospect of development, only to be told it’s no longer feasible. This is unacceptable. The untapped economic potential of these regions is immense. President Tinubu must choose legacy over short-term political calculations.”

On the issue of Afenifere’s internal leadership, Ebiseni dismissed talk of factionalism, affirming Oba Oladipo Olaitan as the group’s legitimate National Leader.

“Oba Olaitan, from Osun State, was nominated by Pa Reuben Fasoranti to deputise the late Pa Adebanjo and has now naturally stepped into leadership,” he said. “He chairs all three organs of the organisation—the National Executive Committee, National Caucus, and General Assembly. Since then, all meetings have convened in Ilesha under his leadership.”