₦airaland Forum

ibabz:
Point noted. But go and mark my words, by the time the same machinery that was used to boost Obi in strategic areas started working for Kwankwaso, I will refer you to this post again. Until then, enjoy your evening sire

Welcome to politics 101. How hope this has started to make meaning to you or do you still need more proof?

SmartPolician:
When it comes to infrastructure, Lagos, and indeed Nigeria, is getting better. just that the pace is extremely slow

Seriously? Pls visit Akwa Ibom, if you come back with the same mindset. I was once like this until I visited some states with lesser resources than Lagos.

Sunsen:
You can't compare the development in Lagos to others na.... And you know this

Have you been to Akwa Ibom? You can stay in Lagos and imagining that Lagos is the best.

Lagos has consistently ranked as the most indebted state in Nigeria. The claim that it owes ₦1 trillion is misleading—the actual figure is over ₦2 trillion. A significant portion of these funds appears to have been mismanaged or diverted into private pockets. It raises a serious question: when will my beloved state break free from this cycle and truly move toward accountability and independence?

Lagos has consistently ranked as the most indebted state in Nigeria. The claim that it owes ₦1 trillion is misleading, the actual figure is over ₦2 trillion. A significant portion of these funds appears to have been mismanaged or diverted into private pockets. It raises a serious question: when will my beloved state break free from this cycle and truly move toward accountability and independence?

Unfortunately, the same model is being applied in Nigeria as a country.

Heffalump:
If you believed the results released by INEC after the 2023 election, then your hallucination is incurable. Those that did the Hatchett job have openly confessed that Obi won the election free and square, but INEC manipulated it in favour of Tinubu. Why do you think that all of them in APC are barking at Obi as if he's the only one in the opposition? He's considered the biggest threat, the biggest Tsunami in the Nigerian political space. Even you, you're afraid of Obi, who's capable of dismantling Tinubu.

One can be silly in hiding the truth, but you can't hide it forever in the eyes of God. APC and its followers/ minions are so wicked like their master, Tinubu. This is the reason why the country is in disarray right now. PDP in 16 yrs never did all these abrakadabra. Nonsense.

Oh really? Seriously? Let’s look at this calmly, with open and mature minds. At least we agree on one thing, Tinubu doesn’t deserve a second term. The real issue, however, is choosing a candidate who can both defeat him and actually deliver the dividends of democracy.

But here’s my concern: many Obidients seem to be repeating the same pattern from 2023, and it risks playing right into APC’s hands. Back then, the opposition vote was split, and that division gave Tinubu the edge. Instead of learning from that outcome and recalibrating strategy, it feels like the same approach is being recycled.

There’s also this persistent belief that Obi won the election, yet when you examine the results, most of the states he secured were traditionally PDP strongholds, with Lagos being a notable exception and even that had very specific circumstances tied to the post-EndSARS climate. Unfortunately those conditions don’t exist anymore.

What’s happening now is simple: an illusion is being sustained to keep you believing you won, so you can believe you can repeat it. And from the look of things, the same mistake is about to happen again.

And this idea that people who “rigged” the election have suddenly confessed. come on, let’s be serious. That sounds more like a calculated narrative than anything real. They know that’s the only lies that can keep you believing in the Obi’ candidacy.

Most of your Obidient leaders and influencers are being pushed to aggressively promote Obi’s candidacy. But have you stopped to ask who is actually funding that push?

The uncomfortable reality is that, knowingly or not, many of them are advancing a narrative that ultimately benefits the APC. You may believe you’re campaigning for change, but in effect, you’re strengthening the very system you’re trying to oppose.

At the end of the day, it feels less like a strategic movement and more like a setup, one that risks turning your energy into an indirect campaign advantage for Tinubu.

Have you asked yourself, which other combo can give the opposition more than 13million votes? Atiku/Obi did it in 2019, their combined votes also maintained same numbers in 2023. Do you think Obi/Kwankwanso can give you that number? Think again

The truth is, the only candidate Tinubu genuinely fears is Atiku, especially in a united front that includes Obi and even someone like El-Rufai. That kind of alliance changes the entire equation.

Politics is a game of numbers. If the opposition presents a strong, united ticket like Atiku/Obi, APC could lose a significant chunk of its support because politics is a game of numbers, and politicians naturally gravitate toward numbers and not opposition.

Denko2721987:
Yes we know, strategy of rigging.. Becos anybody with a brain knows normally that whether governors defect for their greed, that wont determine who the people vote for especially when it comes to the presidency

Seriously? You really think a governor can’t influence the outcome of an election in their own state? That’s exactly the problem I have with you Obidients, you’re not thinking this through critically.

The same people shouting “we no dey give shishi” seem to forget that elections here aren’t always purely free and fair. These politicians may not win on merit alone, but they’re more than willing to spend heavily to sway results. And let’s be honest, some of the same people claiming “we no dey give shishi” wouldn’t hesitate if it’s offered.

Look at the Edo election as a case study. Then after everything plays out, we’ll hear the same narrative again, that Obi won but was rigged out.

Bro, make una dey reason this thing well.

Biodun1929:
I don't know why obidients can't see this.

There are claims that Tinubu/APC are indirectly backing Obi’s candidacy, allegedly funding some Obidient influencers to amplify calls for Obi as the opposition’s candidate. Some of them believe they’re fighting for a logical cause, not realizing they may just be playing into a larger political script.

DLSReigns:
Listen to yourself.

If you disagree, why not give us your own analysis on how you think Obi will win. Something logical.

richiemcgold:
There is no good reason for him to step down for anyone. He's the strongest candidate to defeat Tinubu. Let Obi step down for him and be his running mate. Simple!

Let’s be honest, many of those loudly pushing for Obi right now aren’t even genuine supporters. A good number are aligned with APC interests, strategically promoting a weaker opposition to give their candidate an easier path to victory.

There are even claims that Tinubu/APC are indirectly backing Obi’s candidacy, allegedly funding certain “Obidient” influencers to amplify calls for him to run. Meanwhile, some well-meaning supporters believe they’re fighting for a logical cause, not realizing they may just be playing into a larger political script.


Ask these people to explain how they think Obi will win, they would start saying he won 2023 elections, as how now?

That Obi is popular in the southern states does not mean his popularity can defeat Tinubu in the south.

Gotocourt:
North alone cant make Atiku president, anyways, fingers crossed.

That’s why he needs a good candidate from the south. Atiku/Obi can pull over 12million to 15million votes. But there is no way Obi can pull that number regardless of whoever is the running mate

onuman:
He may not.
Because since 2015, he has been one leg in APC with another leg in the opposition.
He lives in Dubai and comes to Nigeria every presidential election to contest

Oga, drop this old tune, it’s worn out. Atiku hasn’t even been in Dubai since the 2023 elections. Abeg find another angle, this one don expire.

Gotocourt:
If Obi is not on the ticket, sorry for Waziri

You think so? Mathematically, Obi doesn’t stand the chance of securing more than 5million voters. That’s the fact. The north would rather vote for Tinubu instead of Obi. But Atiku still has the higher chances of getting more than 8million votes from the north.

ify2016:
Atiku the greedy fellow will gladly allow Jagaban win the election because of his selfish interest.
Tinubu just dey laugh North who are trying to clinch power after ruling for 8 solid years.
South are not dumb like that

On the contrary, the Obidients will allow Tinubu to win. I still don’t understand the logic, why should someone who secured over 7 million votes step down for a candidate whose chances have significantly declined? It’s also unclear how Obi is expected to pull more than 5 million votes from the South, especially when many governors have either defected or aligned with Tinubu. Elections aren’t won on emotion; they’re won through strategy.

Why should Atiku step down? Did Tinubu step down for Osinbajo?

TheStoriesOfMan:
You that know, tell us what is ₦1.15 trillion.

Tell us, we await your reply.

To him, 1Trillion is too big but 15Trillion for coaster road is nothing

Alliswell248:
A whole 1.15 trillion naira missing.
What a big lie.
Don't allow hatred and bitterness turn you to low life thinker.

I’m pretty sure you didn’t actually read the article, you just reacted to the headline. That’s a common pattern I’ve noticed among some APC supporters.

We agree that Tinubu will defeat Atiku on Election Day, but just allow free and fair election, that’s all we’re asking you d.um.b. Is that too much to ask for?

abc115:
Kwankwaso popularity is restricted to only Kano State. Kano is even now split between him and Governor Abba Yusuf” - Atiku

pic.twitter.com/KnHFazPcHK Kwankwaso popularity is restricted to only Kano State. Kano is even now split between him and Governor Abba Yusuf” - Atiku

— Seyi Afolayan (@africainfostat) April 15, 2026

I don’t understand your point actually. Why gaslighting? What Atiku said on point, he clearly acknowledged Kwankwaso strength in Kano and of course his weakness. He was actually on point. The issue with some of the comments here is that majority of the people commenting never watched the video before commenting, they only reacted based on the headline.

psalmsjob:
The change of policy on subsidy removal on both petrol and Naira is what actually improved investor confidence and it has boost the economy from fake valuation of Naira and thus "national money laundering" as petrol subsidy.

So it's either you don't understand what the minister meant by overnight policy changes or you're being mischievous. What he meant is that reversing those policy just like that gives a sense of uncertainty to investors who might plan to invest based on the policy and then all of a sudden because of some inconsistency the whole policy is thrown out so they being wondering if that could also happen after they might have invested based on the policy.

Like I have always said high naira value to the dollar will not attract foreign investor nor will a regulated or propped up Naira or petrol.

And who told you they haven’t started borrowing money just to strengthen naira and even spending more at that? You people just love defending nonsense.

AMINDA:
Now, we are back to subsidising the naira and are even spending more now to do so. Market forces in the mud. We've gone round in circles and arrived at the same spot, just worse off than we were. He has also borrowed more than those who paid subsidies. What then is the gain apart from the hardship? They came into power with so much arrogance, determined to implement IMF and Worldbank policies just for a pat on the back. This was something Buhari refused to do.

He is now subsidising the naira not because he suddenly loves Nigerians, he’s doing so grudgingly just to show that his policies are working. The moment he gets his second term (God forbid), just watch how dollar would rise to N1,800 or even N2,000 or more.

MarketDispatch:
The Lagos to Calabar highway should also be used as an opportunity to create another National power grid running from Calabar ( power generation hub) to Lagos. Then from Lagos to Sokoto on new high way.

National power grid? Pls can you explain this? I’m willing to learn.

Christistruth03:
If they don’t like the Highway they should just stay off it and let better people pass

No be by force to use the Road

They can go use Jungle path

At least after 6 months dem go reach Calabar

If this is all what your brain can process after reading the article, perhaps your education is a waste. People are discussing something as logical as this and this is all what you can contribute? Tueh!!!!

TokoEkambi:
Since your night bus route to Lagos doesn't pass through there it means the road is useless, right?

Your response lacks substance. Write like someone who is not mentally lazy.

Britishpea:
Only uneducated ignorant people will discredit the economic benefit and others this will bring when it’s done.

What people should talk about instead of the benefit of the road is, the budget allocated for it, the methodology employed in awarding the contracts not the benefits.


Nigerian youths are so docile in a lot of things.

Well I don’t know expect anything less.

Also, what I expected from the so called educated “unignorant” is to list those benefits and other. That’s how to engage constructively.

Britishpea:
Only uneducated ignorant people will discredit the economic benefit and others this will bring when it’s done.

What people should talk about instead of the benefit of the road is, the budget allocated for it, the methodology employed in awarding the contracts not the benefits.


Nigerian youths are so docile in a lot of things.

Well I don’t know expect anything less.

Whenever I read comments like yours, I don’t feel offended, I feel concerned.

Concerned because it clearly shows how easily serious conversations in this country are reduced to shallow takes and emotional outbursts. You called youths “docile,” yet your response is a perfect example of the very intellectual laziness you’re trying to criticize.

Let’s get one thing straight: at no point in my article did I expressly condemn the coastal road project. Not once. So if that is your takeaway, then either you didn’t read the article in full, or you read it with a predetermined bias and simply looked for something to attack.

My argument was clear and structured around three things: priority, cost, and accessibility.

First, priority (scale of preference).
I raised a simple but critical question: given limited resources, what should come first?

Nigeria’s biggest immediate problem today is the rising cost of living, especially food. Now, we already know that the Middle Belt and Northern regions are major agricultural hubs. We also know that one of the biggest drivers of high food prices is transportation and logistics.

So logically, expanding and strengthening the rail system, especially projects already initiated would allow bulk movement of goods across regions at a cheaper and faster rate. That directly impacts the average Nigerian by reducing food prices.

That is not theory. That is basic economics.

So the question is: why prioritize a coastal highway over infrastructure that directly addresses the most urgent economic pressure on citizens?

That’s a legitimate policy question, not an attack.

Second, cost.
Public estimates put this project in the region of trillions of naira, with per-kilometer costs running into several billions. Whether you like it or not, any project of that magnitude deserves scrutiny.

Blind acceptance is not patriotism. It is negligence.

If a government is spending that much money, especially in an economy where millions are struggling, it is only right for citizens to ask:

Why this project?
Why this cost?
What exactly are we paying for?

If you are uncomfortable with those questions, then the issue is not my article, the issue is your understanding of accountability.

Third, accessibility and affordability.
From available information and existing patterns, it is reasonable to expect that such a project will be tolled to recover costs. Now let’s be honest: who will actually be able to afford to use this road regularly?

When you place potential toll costs side by side with the realities of Nigerian income levels, minimum wage around ₦70,000 and many workers earning between ₦100,000–₦150,000, the concern becomes obvious.

Infrastructure that the majority cannot afford to use raises a fundamental question: who is it really for?

These are the issues I raised. Nothing more, nothing less.

What I expected from anyone who genuinely understands public policy was a data-driven counterargument:

Show why this project should take priority over rail.

Justify the cost with clear economic returns.

Explain how it benefits the average Nigerian, not just in theory but in practice.

Instead, what I get are emotional reactions, personal attacks, and empty statements like “youths are docile.” Seriously?

Let me say this plainly:
The real problem is not that people disagree. The problem is that many people no longer know how to think critically.

You read a headline and before reading the article you have already form an opinion instantly, and then spend the rest of the time defending that opinion without ever engaging the actual argument.

And then you call others docile?

No! What we are seeing is something worse, a culture of reaction without comprehension.

If this is the level of discourse we continue to normalize, then yes, progress will remain slow, not because ideas are lacking, but because serious conversations are constantly dragged down by people who refuse to engage them seriously.

So next time, before rushing to comment, do something simple: read to understand, not to react.

And of course, I don’t expect you to read to this point before you comment again. This I have seen.

helinues:
Short your epistle, could you point out to what precise issue you have with my comments in the quote above. Just say it

I have nothing, absolutely nothing against your prayer. And I never attacked you nor your prayer. Well, perhaps, the only thing I guess I did was comment under your comment. My intention was just to follow the prayer tray. And I don’t think I really said anything wrong against you or anyone. I never mentioned anyone but myself.

helinues:
Are you hating on the development of your own country because I can't just fathom what your nagging have been all about

Which of the emboldened hit you anywhere?

I’m not hating on the development of my country. If you read the article, I’m more concerned about our priorities. I clearly stated that the continuation of the railroad project has more economic and welfare benefits for common man than the coastal road. I only went further to justify my point by stating the exorbitant costs of the project which has made it one of the most expensive coastal road projects in the world. I equally stated that the road may be beyond the reach of common man whose tax were used to construct the road and I gave my reasons. I believe if you or anyone has superior arguments they can bring it on, but attacking my person is totally unacceptable.

helinues:
You see, it's the arrogant and ego bloating that have been you guys undoing.

You created a thread without tagging me or mentioning anyone



I made my comments without tagging you or mentioning anyone

Please make it logically sensible to me what's your nagging for about my comments on this thread. Was my comments directed to you specifically even though you are the op of this thread?

Don’t you also comment on other people’s post? Abi what’s the meaning of this self. Oga ade, respect yourself.

helinues:
You see, it's the arrogant and ego bloating that have been you guys undoing.

You created a thread without tagging me or mentioning anyone



I made my comments without tagging you or mentioning anyone

Please make it logically sensible to me what's your nagging for about my comments on this thread. Was my comments directed to you specifically even though you are the op of this thread?

What arrogance? Which law says I can’t comment on or reply to any post on the public domain? I don’t just understand you people’s mindset. I guess you must be feeling unnecessary superior, but over WHAT exactly? Who you be self?

helinues:
For your own goodness. Those shenanigans would longer be tolerated

You expressed yourself, allow others to do same without questioning unnecessarily

My guy I hope this isn’t a threat, otherwise I would ask you to bring it on. I’m not scared of anything or anyone. I have seen both sides of life.

I have typed the message below before I saw this your comment. Either peace or otherwise I’m ready..,.


Let me say this, I’m not the type that fights my fellow brothers because of one politician, naah. I don’t do that. Opinions and views may defer but that doesn’t make us enemies, I wish you people could see it from that point of view. You yourself, you know where you belong in my heart. It doesn’t make any sense fighting my fellow brothers that are thriving to be a better version of himself over one politician who doesn’t even see if either of us even exist. The only people I have grouse with are those fighting and defending thieves and criminals in government. Those one, WE CAN NEVER be on the page.

I have said my mind, hope you understand me.

Iree o.

helinues:
Did you see me quoting your epistle? No, I expressed myself independently

What you guys don't know is, if we should use ordinary 10% of the same energy you have been using to engage us for years, I swear you you will leave the internet for us

Unfortunately, we can't all sleep and face the same direction

Ok sir, I do hear