Tinubu's Aide Clashes with Donald Duke Over Lagos-Calabar Highway Project

A recent statement by Donald Duke, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Redemption Party, has sparked a reaction from Temitope Ajayi, the Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Media and Publicity. Duke had expressed his reservations about the financial implications of the Lagos-Calabar Highway, a project valued at N15 trillion, during an interview with Arise News. He argued that the expense could be better spent on other sectors, such as electricity or healthcare. Furthermore, Duke stated that the project would not extend beyond the Epe area of Lagos State, citing the existence of an existing road that links Lagos to Calabar. However, Ajayi has countered Duke's claims, stating that the project has already reached Ogun State and is progressing to extend further. Ajayi tweeted, 'Former Governor Donald Duke, who wants to become President on the banner of an unviable political platform, has also joined the chorus of those saying the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway will not go beyond Lagos State.' Duke had also criticized the rate of borrowing from international money lenders, saying, 'The World Bank is now cautioning us. They probably won’t give us anything more, so we are going through different routes to get funding from other sources. Because our revenue collection system is poor, we do the basic thing: we tax you on profit.' He emphasized the need to prioritize and focus on what is required, suggesting that the money being spent on the highway would be better spent on providing electricity or upgrading the healthcare system. In addition, Duke advocated for a change in the governance structure, citing the high cost of governance and the need to restructure. Ajayi's response aimed to correct the misconceptions about the project, highlighting the progress made so far and the potential benefits it will bring.