The Minister of Works, Sen. Dave Umahi, disclosed on Sunday that he had received a directive from the President for the prompt design of the Sokoto-Badagry Coastal Highway.

Published

1 year ago

April 29, 2024

The Minister of Works, Sen. Dave Umahi, disclosed on Sunday that he had received a directive from the President for the prompt design of the Sokoto-Badagry Coastal Highway.

Mr. Umahi spoke following his examination of the Section one, phase one, of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and its realignment in Lagos.

He said, “I’m happy that Mr President has also directed me to start the immediate design of the Sokoto-Badagry Coastal Highway.

“This one is a spur of the Coastal highway, and that one is 1000 kilometres.

“We’ve started the design and I’m very sure that as soon as Federal Executive Council approves it, we will be starting at Sokoto side, which is the zero point.

“We also have another spur which is going to go from Enugu-Abakaliki-Ogoja going to Cameroon.

“So we have that spur and it’s about 361 kilometres, going through Otukpo to Benue to Nasarawa and ends up at Apo in Abuja.

“We are also going to be presenting it to Mr President, and when this is done, then the coastal routes like we promised will go to circle the entire country,”

After its construction finishes, the coastal road will link the regions of Nigeria from the South-West to the South-South, North-East, North-West, and North-Central, as mentioned by the Minister.

Ekiti 2026: SDP slams Oyebanji’s performance, APC fires back

Published

14 minutes ago

July 11, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

Political temperature in Ekiti State is already heating up as the 2026 governorship election approaches, with the opposition Social Democratic Party, SDP, and the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, locked in a war of words over Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s leadership.

SDP State Chairman, Bamikole Ayodele, on Thursday, criticized the Oyebanji-led administration, accusing it of underperforming in critical sectors including infrastructure, agriculture, security, tourism, and job creation.

He alleged that the governor had mismanaged public resources and failed to meet the expectations of the electorate.

“The governor is not delivering on his mandate,” Ayodele said during a press briefing in Ado-Ekiti. “There is little to show in terms of infrastructure. Ekiti, being an agriculturally rich state, has seen no meaningful reform to empower our youth or boost food production.”

He also accused the administration of partisan governance, claiming that employment and development initiatives are being disproportionately directed toward APC loyalists.

“Governor Oyebanji must remember he governs the entire state, not just his party,” he said, urging the administration to embrace innovation, merit, and inclusivity.

In a swift reaction, APC State Publicity Secretary, Segun Dipe, dismissed the SDP’s criticisms as baseless and politically motivated. He described the opposition as “moribund” and its leaders as people seeking relevance ahead of the next election cycle.

“Oyebanji’s performance speaks for itself,” Dipe stated. “From agriculture to infrastructure, security to tourism, the administration is making meaningful progress. Visit the rural areas, projects are ongoing. Though the rainy season may slow construction, the development efforts are visible.”

He cited the restoration of electricity to long-neglected communities and road construction projects in remote areas as clear indicators of the administration’s commitment to inclusive growth. Dipe also pointed to the governor’s high approval ratings among residents as proof of public confidence.

“The people of Ekiti know who is working for them,” The SDP’s claim that it can unseat the APC in 2026 is not only unrealistic but laughable. They lack the structure and visibility to mount a serious challenge,” he said.

Politics

2027: Resign before joining other party – PDP tells alleged ADC members

Published

20 minutes ago

July 11, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Cross River State has called for the resignation of its members listed as coordinators of the African Democratic Congress, ADC.

The State Publicity Secretary of the party, Mike Ojisi, made this call in a statement on Thursday.

Ojisi said the party is not against members exercising their fundamental right to freedom of association as enshrined in Nigeria’s constitution.

However, the spokesman added that members wishing to join other political parties must resign from the PDP first, as dual party membership is not allowed.

“The State Working Committee (SWC) has noted a publication naming some SWC members and Chapter Chairmen as ADC coordinators in Cross River State.

“The SWC, therefore, urges those named to be honourable and either publicly denounce the publication or resign their PDP positions within 48 hours.

“Otherwise, the party will apply the relevant disciplinary provisions of its constitution against them,” he said.

Ojisi stated further that the PDP was not in any coalition, as resolved at its 100th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting recently held in Abuja.

He charged Executive Committee members to stay loyal to the PDP and avoid activities that may be seen as defection or anti-party conduct.

Politics

I was Buhari’s agent, sent several times to Tinubu – Garba shehu

Published

30 minutes ago

July 11, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

Former Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, Garba Shehu, has narrated how he operated as an agent of the former President.

Shehu disclosed that as Buhari’s agent, he was sent severally to President Bola Tinubu to seek his support especially on issues concerning the media.

Shehu disclosed this during the unveiling of his book ‘According to the President: Lessons from a Presidential Spokesperson’s Experience’, in Abuja.

According to Shehu, Tinubu controls Nigeria’s biggest media assets.

He insisted that Tinubu never failed to assist Buhari when necessary.

Shehu said: “As a (Muhammadu) Buhari’s Agent, I have been sent a number of times to Bola Ahmed Tinubu to find support to some of our communication issues.

“Because then, till today, President Tinubu has this country’s biggest media assets, and he has never failed to come to our (Buhari government’s) aid.”