Human rights lawyer Femi Falana has questioned the estimated ₦15tn cost of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, calling on Nigerians to demand greater transparency and accountability from the Federal Government over the project.
Falana also warned political parties and candidates in Lagos State against electoral violence and voter suppression ahead of the 2027 general elections. He urged politicians to work together to protect the voting rights of eligible residents, regardless of their political affiliations or ethnic backgrounds.
He made the remarks at a public event in a video shared by News Central TV on Monday, where he raised concerns about reported changes to the highway’s route and questions surrounding its funding.
The lawyer questioned why a project originally conceived as a coastal highway was reportedly being redirected inland in some sections. He also called on the government to explain how the ₦15tn earmarked for the project would be spent.
Falana argued that citizens had a responsibility to demand explanations from public officials, warning that insufficient public scrutiny could undermine accountability in government.
The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway is a major infrastructure project of the administration of President Bola Tinubu. It is designed to connect Lagos with Calabar in Cross River State along Nigeria’s southern coastline.
The project, estimated to cost about ₦15tn upon completion, has attracted public debate over its cost, route and financing.
Beyond the highway, Falana expressed concern about the possibility of violence during the 2027 elections, particularly in Lagos State.
He warned political candidates that experiences from the previous election suggested some eligible voters could be prevented from casting their ballots through intimidation and violence.
Falana called on candidates across party lines to establish a united front to protect the votes of all residents, regardless of which political party they support.
He maintained that Nigerians should not be denied their constitutional voting rights because of their appearance or perceived ethnic identity.
The lawyer also cautioned against the use of ethnic differences to intimidate voters, particularly those perceived as not belonging to the Yoruba ethnic group in Lagos.
He urged political actors to resist thuggery and other forms of electoral violence, stressing that the right to vote must be protected throughout the state.
Falana said politicians who lacked the support needed to win elections could resort to violence, making cooperation among candidates and political parties essential to safeguarding the electoral process.
He called for collective action to ensure that every eligible voter in Lagos could participate freely in the 2027 general elections without fear of intimidation or discrimination.
Source: PUNCH
