Afenifere Faction Demands President Tinubu’s Impeachment Over Lagos-Calabar Coastal Project

A faction of the pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, has called on the National Assembly to initiate impeachment proceedings against President Bola Tinubu over what it describes as a clear case of conflict of interest in the award of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway contract. The group’s leader, Oba Oladipo Olaitan, expressed outrage over President Tinubu’s public acknowledgment of a personal relationship with Gilbert Chagoury, the businessman behind the contractor Hitech Construction Company.

During the inauguration of the first 30-kilometre stretch of the highway, President Tinubu lauded Chagoury as his “partner in daring,” a remark that Oba Olaitan interpreted as an admission of collusion. “All President Tinubu is doing is building a road to his own Atlantic City,” Olaitan said, referring to Eko Atlantic City, a private real estate project spearheaded by the Chagoury Group. “That road was not advertised for public bidding. It is a national shame,” he added, accusing President Tinubu of awarding a federal contract to himself through a proxy.

Impeachment Call Sparks Political Uproar

The Afenifere faction’s impeachment call has ignited political controversy, with Oba Olaitan urging lawmakers to defend Nigeria’s democracy. He questioned the logic behind commissioning only four percent of the 700-kilometre highway, alleging that the segment conveniently leads to Eko Atlantic, potentially signaling that the rest of the highway may be abandoned.

“If we had a truly independent and vibrant National Assembly, they would have begun impeachment proceedings immediately,” the monarch said. He emphasized that the president’s comments constituted a breach of public trust, arguing that the legislative arm must act decisively to preserve democratic integrity. “This is not how to run a democracy. The president has admitted to a breach of public trust,” he said. “The National Assembly must prove it is not complicit.”

APC Defends President Tinubu, Denies Any Wrongdoing

In response, the Lagos State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) dismissed the impeachment call as frivolous and politically motivated. APC spokesperson, Seye Oladejo, stated that Tinubu’s use of the word “partner” was being deliberately misinterpreted to malign the president’s reputation.

“Did he say business partner? He called them ‘partners in daring’ — people who believed in his vision and joined him in pursuing it,” Oladejo clarified. He insisted that due process was followed in awarding the contract and that the appropriate procurement channels were used. “If there’s any issue, it should be addressed through the appropriate channels, not through calls for impeachment,” he added.

Afenifere Factions Clash Over Support for Tinubu

The impeachment call has also revealed deep divisions within Afenifere. While the faction led by Oba Olaitan and supported by Pa Ayo Adebanjo has criticized the project’s cost, opacity, and environmental consequences, another faction led by Abagun Kole Omololu stands firmly behind Tinubu. Omololu’s group has reiterated that President Tinubu is leading a Nigerian—not a Yoruba—government and should be given the opportunity to complete his term.

The Adebanjo-led group, however, argues that the Lagos-Calabar project symbolizes broader governance failures under President Tinubu’s administration. These include alleged ethnic favoritism in federal appointments and fears of an emerging one-party state. The faction contends that these tendencies undermine Nigeria’s unity and democratic foundation.

Broader Criticism of the Highway Project and Federal Response

Beyond Afenifere, prominent national figures like former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo have raised serious concerns over the Lagos-Calabar project. They questioned the absence of competitive bidding, escalating costs, and the demolitions that have disrupted businesses and livelihoods, notably around the Landmark Beach area.

In defense, the federal government has argued that the project will stimulate economic growth, boost regional connectivity, and create thousands of jobs across Nigeria’s southern corridor. Officials maintain that the coastal highway is a strategic investment in national infrastructure, not a venture driven by private interest. Nonetheless, public debate continues to swirl over the project’s real beneficiaries and long-term implications.