Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour Calls Out Tinubu Over Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road Commissioning, Labels it a "Propaganda Spectacle"

 

The fanfare surrounding the commissioning of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road has sparked sharp criticism from Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, the Labour Party’s gubernatorial candidate in Lagos during the 2023 elections. The architect and activist did not mince words as he lambasted President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration for what he described as a premature and misleading attempt to score political points with an unfinished project.

The coastal highway, a massive 700-kilometre development projected to connect Lagos Island to Calabar in Cross River State, has been at the centre of recent federal government narratives promoting infrastructural advancement. However, Rhodes-Vivour contends that the reality on the ground tells a different story—one that points to only marginal progress rather than substantial achievement.

Through a statement released on his verified X (formerly Twitter) account on Thursday, Rhodes-Vivour questioned the rationale behind holding a high-profile commissioning ceremony when, by his estimation, the project stands at less than five percent completion. He argued that such optics are not only deceptive but symptomatic of a larger governance problem.

Celebrations over marginal groundwork, according to him, reflect a troubling pattern of political theatrics and propaganda. “Not only is it shameful to roll out the drums to commission less than 5% of a project,” he wrote, “they still had to lie and spew propaganda on the so-called 30km.”

The project, initially envisioned to boost economic integration and tourism along Nigeria’s southern coastline, has been mired in skepticism over transparency, displacement issues, and funding logistics. The presidency and the Ministry of Works have touted the early phases as a testament to the administration's commitment to infrastructural development. But critics argue that staging a commissioning at such an early stage undermines both the integrity of the project and the intelligence of the Nigerian populace.

Rhodes-Vivour didn’t stop at infrastructure. His statement broadened into a critique of what he described as a deeper rot in governance under the All Progressives Congress (APC) government. Drawing a parallel with recent incidents involving the finance ministry, he alluded to what he sees as an ongoing pattern of misinformation and manipulation at the highest levels.

“This is the same way the minister of finance went abroad to reel out fake data only to be checkmated by data from the CBN days after. So embarrassing,” he noted, referring to a recent controversy surrounding conflicting economic data shared by government officials.

Rising insecurity also formed part of his assessment. Rhodes-Vivour questioned the legitimacy of lauding the National Security Adviser while the country grapples with surging cases of kidnappings, banditry, and general lawlessness. “While insecurity is on the rise, they are shamelessly promoting the ‘genius’ of the NSA,” he added.

At the heart of his criticism lies a broader indictment of a government he accuses of being more focused on public relations than practical results. “The harsh truth is that a party fixated on politics and propaganda cannot govern effectively. That is why Nigerians are much poorer today than they were less than a decade ago,” he said, summing up what many opposition voices have described as the deteriorating quality of governance under the current administration.

Observers have noted that Rhodes-Vivour’s remarks tap into growing public frustration with the slow pace of development, worsening economic conditions, and what appears to be an increasing reliance on performative governance. With inflation rates surging, the naira still struggling, and food insecurity on the rise, many citizens are skeptical of the priorities being set at the federal level.

Though no official response has been issued by the presidency or the Ministry of Works regarding Rhodes-Vivour’s assertions, analysts expect the conversation to intensify, especially as opposition figures continue to hold the administration to account ahead of upcoming electoral cycles.

The Labour Party, which emerged as a powerful third force in the 2023 general elections, has repeatedly positioned itself as a watchdog over the ruling APC's activities. Rhodes-Vivour’s commentary adds another layer to that growing scrutiny, highlighting not just infrastructural gaps but also the ideological and communicative failings he believes are impeding Nigeria’s development.

As political tensions simmer and projects like the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road remain under the microscope, Nigerians are left to weigh the symbolism of groundbreaking ceremonies against the substantive need for enduring, transformative infrastructure.