Femi Falana: Challenges ₦15tn Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway Cost, Demands Transparency

• Human rights lawyer Femi Falana questioned the ₦15 trillion estimated cost of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway.
• Falana urged Nigerians to demand accountability from the Federal Government regarding the project's funding and reported route changes.
• He warned political parties and candidates in Lagos against election violence and voter suppression for the 2027 general elections.
• Falana called for a united effort to protect the votes of all eligible citizens, irrespective of their political or ethnic backgrounds.
• The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway is a flagship ₦15 trillion project of the Tinubu administration, connecting Lagos to Calabar.

He passionately argued that democratic participation should never be curtailed based on a person's ethnicity or physical appearance.

Human rights advocate Femi Falana has publicly challenged the substantial ₦15 trillion price tag associated with the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, urging the Nigerian populace to insist on financial transparency from the Federal Government regarding this ambitious undertaking. His remarks, captured in a video shared by News Central TV on Monday, highlighted significant concerns about the project's evolving route and its funding mechanisms. Falana specifically questioned the rationale behind extending what was initially conceived as a coastal thoroughfare into an inland route.

Beyond the infrastructure debate, Falana also issued a stern caution to political entities and candidates operating within Lagos State. He warned against the potential for electoral violence and tactics aimed at voter suppression as the nation approaches the 2027 general elections. The prominent lawyer underscored the critical need for a unified front among all stakeholders to safeguard the voting rights of every eligible citizen in Lagos, irrespective of their political affiliations or ethnic backgrounds.

The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway stands as a cornerstone infrastructure initiative of President Bola Tinubu's administration, designed to forge a vital link between Lagos and Calabar in Cross River State, tracing Nigeria's southern coastline. This project, with an estimated completion cost of ₦15 trillion, has become a focal point of public discourse, drawing considerable debate over its financial implications, the chosen path, and its overall funding strategy. Falana's intervention adds a powerful voice to the growing calls for clarity.

During his public address, Falana pointed out a reported shift in the highway's trajectory, noting that the "coastal road has now become land road." He specifically cited a change in plans after Ogun State, where the route has been officially directed to move inland through Edo State, a decision reportedly driven by difficult terrain and rising construction costs. He explicitly asked for an explanation from the government on how the allocated ₦15 trillion would be disbursed, emphasizing the need for detailed financial accountability.

Falana's critique of the coastal highway's cost was delivered alongside a broader admonition concerning the conduct of the upcoming 2027 elections, particularly within Lagos. He voiced apprehension that voters might encounter intimidation and violence, drawing parallels with experiences from previous electoral cycles. The human rights lawyer suggested that violence could be strategically deployed to disenfranchise eligible voters, preventing them from exercising their constitutional rights.

In a direct appeal to political candidates, Falana urged them to transcend party lines and collaborate to establish a collective mechanism for defending every vote cast in Lagos. He passionately argued that democratic participation should never be curtailed based on a person's ethnicity or physical appearance. Furthermore, he cautioned against the dangerous practice of using ethnic identity as a tool for voter intimidation, particularly targeting individuals in Lagos who might not be perceived as belonging to the Yoruba ethnic group. Falana asserted that those who anticipate electoral defeat often resort to thuggery, violence, and ethnic-based intimidation, practices he insisted must not be tolerated in Nigeria.

Central to Falana's message was the fundamental responsibility of citizens to hold public officials to account. He articulated that without diligent scrutiny from the populace, those in positions of governmental authority are prone to operating without adequate public oversight. This lack of accountability, he argued, allows for potential mismanagement and a departure from the public interest.

The human rights lawyer stressed that demanding answers and transparency is the sole effective method to ensure that government officials remain answerable to the people they serve. His dual focus on the financial integrity of a major infrastructure project and the democratic integrity of future elections underscores a consistent call for robust public engagement and vigilance in Nigeria's governance.

Lawyers advising on public procurement, infrastructure projects, or public finance in Nigeria should note the increased scrutiny on the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway's cost and funding, indicating potential for legal challenges or demands for greater transparency. Additionally, electoral lawyers and human rights advocates should monitor the warnings regarding voter suppression and election violence ahead of the 2027 general elections, preparing for potential legal interventions to protect democratic participation.

Source: Original reporting via PUNCH