Afenifere Faction Demands Tinubu’s Impeachment Over Coastal Highway Contract Scandal
A faction of the pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, has called on the National Assembly to initiate impeachment proceedings against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The call follows allegations of conflict of interest in the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project, which is being executed by a company reportedly linked to Tinubu.
“Tinubu Admitted Partnering with Contractor” — Afenifere
At the centre of the controversy is Gilbert Chagoury, whose firm, Hitech Construction Company a subsidiary of the Chagoury Group was awarded the contract for the coastal highway. During the project’s inauguration last Saturday, President Tinubu praised the contractor, referring to Chagoury as his “partner in daring.”
“To the contractors and my partner in daring, it was tough for us… We came together to tame the Atlantic,” Tinubu said during the event.
Hitech Construction is also behind the ambitious Eko Atlantic City project, a massive real estate development built on reclaimed land from the Atlantic Ocean.
Afenifere Leader: Tinubu Awarded Road to Himself
Reacting to the president’s remarks, Oba Oladipo Olaitan, leader of the Afenifere faction, criticised what he described as a clear conflict of interest. He argued that the road project directly benefits the private Eko Atlantic venture and was awarded without competitive bidding.
“All President Tinubu is doing is building a road to his own Atlantic City. He openly said the contractor is his partner. That means he awarded a federal contract to himself,” Olaitan stated.
He also raised concerns about the limited scope of the inauguration just 30 kilometres out of the entire highway—suggesting it was a symbolic gesture to benefit private interests.
“Why commission just four per cent of the road? That road leads straight to their private development. If that part is done, they may abandon the rest. This is a clear conflict of interest,” he added.
National Assembly Urged to Act
Oba Olaitan called on lawmakers to demonstrate independence and hold the president accountable:
“The National Assembly must prove that it is not complicit. If they are truly independent, they must act now… This is not how to run a democracy. The president has admitted to a breach of public trust.”
He concluded with a direct call for impeachment proceedings to be launched immediately.
APC Responds: Allegations Are Misleading and Politically Motivated
Lagos APC Dismisses Impeachment Call as “A Joke Taken Too Far”
In response, the Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) rejected the allegations, describing the call for impeachment as baseless and politically motivated.
Seye Oladejo, spokesperson for the Lagos APC, dismissed the interpretation of Tinubu’s remarks:
“Maybe they need to consult their dictionary to understand what ‘partner’ means. Did he say business partner? He didn’t say they have any relationship or any incorporated firm where they both have shares.”
Oladejo insisted that due process was followed in the contract’s award and stressed that any concerns should be addressed through appropriate legal or legislative channels—not through sensational demands.
“Relevant authorities handled the contract process. If there’s any issue, it should be addressed through the appropriate channels, not through calls for impeachment,” he added.
Background: The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway Project
The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway is a massive infrastructure initiative designed to connect Nigeria’s southern coastal states. The first phase covers a 30-kilometre stretch and is expected to boost trade, tourism, and real estate development.
However, the project has been mired in controversy over transparency, environmental concerns, and now, alleged self-interest at the federal level.
