*Photo: Mr Donald Duke*
The Presidential Aspirant of Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) in the 2027 general elections, Engr. (Dr.) Yakubu Mohammed Kingsley (YMK)), has disagreed with former Governor of Cross Rivers State, Mr Donald Duke, over his comments on the ongoing Lagos-Calabar coastal highway project of the Federal Government.
Kingsley, in a statement signed by him and made available to newsmen on Sunday in Abuja, said that political differences must not prevent Nigerians from acknowledging genuine achievements of any government.
He emphasised that opposition politics must be founded on constructive criticism, objectivity and alternative solutions, rather than an indiscriminate campaign to run down governments simply because they are in power.
It would be recalled that Duke, who is the presidential candidate of PRP currently recognised by Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), had, on Tuesday during a TV interview, said the coastal highway project is another case of misplaced priority of the Federal Government.
Duke also claimed that the 750km project — with completed sections already straddling a few kilometres in Cross River and Akwa Ibom on the Calabar end, and making incursions into Ondo from the Lagos end — would not go past Epe near Ogun State.
Responding, Kingsley, who is currently challenging the May 25 primary election of the party that produced the ex-governor as PRP’s presidential candidate in court, said opposition should not mean rejecting every government initiative simply because it was undertaken by an incumbent administration.
According to him, this principle must apply to the PRP itself.
“By virtue of its history and philosophy, the party should not criticise government merely for political expediency.
“Where government policies or projects are wrong, the PRP should identify the problems, explain their consequences and provide credible alternatives.
“Where government gets something right, the party should have the courage and objectivity to acknowledge it,” he said.
For the PRP, he stressed, objectivity means having the courage to criticise what is wrong while equally having the integrity to acknowledge what is right.
As a presidential aspirant awaiting judgment in his pending Federal High Court case, scheduled for November 2, 2026, he said “this is consistent with the tradition of principled politics associated with the PRP and its historic commitment to the interests of the Nigerian people.”
Speaking particularly from his professional perspective as an engineer and Highway Engineer, he commended the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, particularly from the standpoint of its broad project scoping, strategic corridor alignment and the engineering concept underpinning the development.
He noted that, irrespective of political affiliation, professional engineers and other technical experts should be able to objectively recognise infrastructure projects whose planning and engineering characteristics have the potential to produce enduring national value.
From an engineering perspective, he observed that the coastal highway represents a significant long-term transportation infrastructure intervention, particularly in terms of inter-city and regional connectivity, corridor development, reduction of travel distances and travel time.
He said this would also improved freight movement, integration of coastal communities, stimulation of economic activities and the opening up of new areas for planned development.
“Its scale, alignment and strategic corridor concept also offer opportunities for integrated development of complementary infrastructure, including bridges and interchanges, drainage and flood-control systems, road safety facilities, service areas, logistics infrastructure and other transport-related facilities.
He said the significance of such a project should also be assessed beyond the immediate construction activity, taking into consideration its potential contribution to regional spatial planning, economic integration, industrial development, tourism, logistics and the creation of new economic corridors along Nigeria’s coastline.
“From the standpoint of infrastructure planning, a properly executed coastal transportation corridor can become an important backbone for connecting communities, productive centres, ports, commercial hubs and emerging development zones.”
Engr. Kinglsey acknowledged that, as with any infrastructure project of such enormous scale, legitimate questions concerning cost, financing, procurement, construction methodology, environmental considerations, right-of-way management, project phasing, quality control, value for money and long-term maintenance must be subjected to appropriate professional and institutional scrutiny.
“Such scrutiny, however, should not prevent objective recognition of the potential engineering and developmental significance of the project,” he added.
He, therefore, called on all PRP aspirants and candidates contesting for the offices of governor, senator, member of the House of Representatives and member of the state house of assembly to conduct their campaigns on issues and clearly explain what they intend to do differently if elected.
“Rather than spending their campaigns merely attacking incumbent governments, PRP candidates should demonstrate how their programmes will improve security, education, healthcare, agriculture, employment, infrastructure, industrialisation, social welfare and the overall wellbeing of citizens within their respective jurisdictions.”
According to him, while we commend the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway project for its strategic significance, impressive engineering scope, long-term connectivity potential and capacity to stimulate trade, tourism, regional integration and economic development, such commendation must not blind us to the broader realities of governance in Nigeria.
“The truth must be spoken; the present administration has, in several critical respects, failed to meet the expectations of Nigerians, particularly in addressing insecurity, poverty, unemployment, energy poverty, rising living costs, institutional weaknesses, infrastructure deficits and the widening gap between government and the governed.
“Nigerians deserve more than isolated infrastructure projects; they deserve a government that understands the full complexity of national development and possesses the political will, competence, integrity and accountability to deliver sustainable solutions.
“It is precisely because of this urgent national necessity that we have stepped forward through the YMK Nigeria Project, under the ideological and political platform of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), to offer Nigerians a genuine alternative to the prevailing politics of patronage, exclusion and business-as-usual governance.
“Our objective is not simply to criticise those in power, nor to seek political office for its own sake, but to present a comprehensive programme of government built around people-centred policies, measurable programmes and actionable solutions that can transform Nigeria from a nation of immense potential into a nation of shared prosperity.
“In the spirit of the PRP’s commitment to social justice, equity, self-reliance, economic empowerment and government by and for the people, we seek to restore the confidence of Nigerians in democratic governance, rebuild our institutions, unlock our productive capacity, secure our communities, create opportunities for our young people, strengthen the economy and ensure that Nigeria’s vast human and natural resources are deployed for the benefit of all.
“The YMK Nigeria Project therefore represents a call to Nigerians to move beyond the politics of personalities and empty promises and embrace a new political consciousness—one founded on competence, accountability, justice, patriotism and a clear, workable roadmap towards a prosperous, secure and equitable Nigeria.”
Kingsley said that the PRP’s historic philosophy, associated with the progressive traditions of Malam Aminu Kano, Alhaji Balarabe Musa and other leaders of the party, is founded on social justice, equality, popular participation, accountability and the protection of the interests of ordinary Nigerians.
He assured all PRP candidates across the country that he would join them during the campaign season to mobilise support for the party and contribute to the collective effort to make the PRP victorious at the polls.
“The PRP must remain a political platform through which citizens can exercise their democratic rights freely and meaningfully,” he said.
He called for an issue-based, peaceful and credible electoral process that places the Nigerian people, rather than political interests, at the centre of the 2027 contest.
Kingsley said the forthcoming elections must provide Nigerians with a genuine opportunity to choose leadership based on character, competence, integrity, policies and vision, rather than money, patronage or political intimidation.
He stressed the need for absolute neutrality and professionalism by INEC and all security agencies throughout the 2027 electoral process.