Former Bayelsa East Senator Ben Murray-Bruce has publicly tackled former Cross River State Governor Donald Duke over his opposition to the ongoing Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project.
Addressing Duke in a detailed statement posted to his verified X (formerly Twitter) account on Friday, Murray-Bruce expressed surprise at his long-time ally’s sudden criticism. Duke had argued that Nigeria lacks the financial capacity to fund such a massive infrastructure project and was borrowing heavily to execute it.
However, Murray-Bruce recalled a joint trip both leaders took along the exact coastal corridor in 2024, revealing that Duke had previously praised the long-term vision behind the landmark highway.
“My dear brother Donald Duke, some years ago, you and I travelled along the stretch of the coastline where this road now runs, and I clearly remember your praise for the vision behind it. That is why your recent comments surprised me,” Murray-Bruce stated.
Acknowledging the high cost of the multi-trillion naira coastal trunk, the former lawmaker insisted that transformational national projects require bold financial sacrifices. Comparing the highway to the historic United States space program, Murray-Bruce argued that great nations are built on expensive, visionary investments that serve future generations.
He added that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remains fully committed to funding the project without shortfall. Murray-Bruce warned politicians against attempting to undermine key socio-economic developments vital to the South-South region simply for short-term political gain as the 2027 electoral cycle approaches.
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