Peter Obi, the Presidential candidate of Labour Party in the 2023 election, has blamed bad road infrastructure and insecurity under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration for the death of 35 persons from accidents in Kogi and Enugu states.
Obi disclosed this in several posts on his official X handle on Wednesday.
Recall that accidents in Kogi on Sunday claimed 19 persons, while that in Enugu led to the death of 16 persons on Tuesday.
According to him, the nation’s resources should be channelled to build internal roads, not the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Superhighway.
“I have just confirmed two very gory road accidents in Kogi and Enugu states, respectively, that claimed the lives of 35 persons.
“The Kogi incident happened on Sunday along Okene/Lokoja bye, where 19 persons were roasted alive, while the other occurred along Nsukka/Enugu Road in Enugu state on Tuesday, claiming the lives of sixteen persons.
“The Enugu State Police Command and Kogi State Federal Road Service Corps, FRSC, have confirmed the two accidents.
“Even though the cause of the accidents is yet unknown, it must not be unconnected with the bad conditions of roads and insecurities.
“This is why I continue to shout out that our meagre resources should be channelled at priority areas to fix our internal roads to make them passable before going for super highway projects, which will take the chunk of the resources meant for these essential areas.
“My heart goes to the families of the deceased and the injured as I pray to God to give them the strength to bear the huge loss. My condolences also go to the governments and the people of Kogi and Enugu states”, he stated.
Obi had disagreed with the Nigerian federal government on the rationale for constructing a 700-kilometre Lagos-Calabar Coastal highway.
However, the Nigerian government accused Obi of inciting Igbos against the Tinubu government.