Hon. Niyi Akingunola, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate for the Ondo East/West Federal Constituency, has publicly called on the Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, to immediately clarify reports surrounding an alleged alteration to the route of the ongoing 750-kilometer Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project.
​Speaking to press representatives on Monday, October 12, 2026, at 10:00 AM during a media briefing at the ADC Constituency Secretariat in Akure, Ondo State, Akingunola expressed grave concern over allegations that the critical federal infrastructure project may bypass Ondo State’s coastal belt.
​Addressing journalists and community stakeholders, Hon. Akingunola stated that any decision to reroute the multitrillion-naira coastal highway away from Ondo State would violate the original master plan, standard public procurement guidelines, and environmental impact assessments.
​”The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway was designed as a transformative economic arterial route to connect southwestern coastal corridors straight through Ondo State into the Niger Delta,” Akingunola stated. “If reports of a realignment away from our coastal communities are true, it represents a blatant breach of procurement principles and a deliberate denial of the socio-economic rights of the people of Ondo State.”
​According to the ADC candidate, excluding or bypassing Ondo State from the project route deprives the state of pivotal socio-economic advantages, including: Regional Connectivity: Reduced travel times and direct integration with major maritime commercial corridors.
​Hon. Akingunola urged Minister David Umahi and the Federal Ministry of Works to issue an official statement detailing the exact route layout, execution timeline, and procurement compliance status regarding the Ondo State segment of the alignment.
​”We are demanding complete transparency from the Ministry of Works,” Akingunola added. “The people of Ondo East/West and the broader state deserve unambiguous answers on whether the original alignment remains intact or if public resources are being reallocated at our state’s expense.”
​As of press time, neither Minister David Umahi nor official spokespersons for the Federal Ministry of Works have issued a formal response to the queries raised by the ADC candidate.
