By Our Reporter
The Peter Obi Media Office has called for an independent audit of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project, demanding transparency over public spending, the extent of work completed and reports of changes to the project.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, and signed by its spokesman, Idris Zekeri Jnr, the media office said Nigerians deserved clear answers about the project’s current status, funding and any decisions that may have altered its scope.
The office said the renewed scrutiny followed concerns previously raised by Peter Obi, the former Labour Party presidential candidate, who had urged the Federal Government to prioritise the rehabilitation of deteriorating roads in Nigeria’s hinterland before embarking on the ambitious coastal highway project.
According to the statement, Obi’s position was based on the need to direct public resources towards projects capable of benefiting the greatest number of Nigerians.
It alleged that rather than addressing the concerns raised by Obi, the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, responded by attacking him.
The media office said questions surrounding the project’s scope and reports of its truncation had made it necessary for the government to provide a comprehensive account of the funds spent and the work delivered.
It asked the government to disclose how much had been expended on the project, the extent of work completed, who authorised any changes and who would be held accountable if evidence of waste or mismanagement emerged.
“Public projects are not political advertisements, and public funds are not private property,” the statement said, stressing that Nigerians were entitled to transparency and accountability in the management of public resources.
The office also called for an independent audit to establish the project’s financial position and provide a clear account of its present status.
It maintained that Obi had not opposed infrastructure development but had advocated responsible prioritisation, efficient use of public funds and value for money.
The statement urged the Federal Government to stop interpreting legitimate scrutiny as an attack and instead recognise accountability as an obligation to Nigerians.
It added that the controversy raised a fundamental question about the government’s response to criticism of public projects.
“The central question persists: why target the messenger when the message calls for answers?” the statement asked.
The media office concluded that transparency in the management of public wealth would be mandatory in the Nigeria Obi envisions.