The presidential aspirant of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) for the 2027 general elections, Dr Yakubu Kingsley, has disagreed with a former governor of Cross River State, Donald Duke, over his criticism of the ongoing Lagos-Calabar coastal highway project.

Mr Kingsley, in a statement on Sunday in Abuja, said political differences should not prevent Nigerians from acknowledging genuine achievements of any government.

He emphasised that “opposition politics must be founded on constructive criticism, objectivity and alternative solutions, rather than an indiscriminate campaign to run down governments simply because they are in power.”

Recall that Mr Duke, the presidential candidate of PRP recognised by the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) on Tuesday during a TV interview described the coastal highway project as another case of misplaced priority of the Federal Government.

Responding, Mr Kingsley said opposition should not mean rejecting every government initiative simply because it was undertaken by an incumbent administration.

Mr Kingsley, who is currently in court to challenge the May 25 primary election of the party that produced the ex-governor as PRP’s presidential candidate said this principle must apply to the PRP itself.

“By virtue of its history and philosophy, the party should not criticise government merely for political expediency.

“Where government policies or projects are wrong, the PRP should identify the problems, explain their consequences and provide credible alternatives.

“Where government gets something right, the party should have the courage and objectivity to acknowledge it.

“For the PRP, objectivity means having the courage to criticise what is wrong while equally having the integrity to acknowledge what is right,” he said.

Mr Kingsley, who is awaiting judgement in his pending Federal High Court pre-election case fixed for November 2 by Justice Mohammed Umar, stressed that criticism must be based on objectivity.

“This is consistent with the tradition of principled politics associated with the PRP and its historic commitment to the interests of the Nigerian people,” he said.

Speaking as an highway engineer, he commended the administration of President Bola Tinubu for the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway project, particularly from the standpoint of its broad project scoping, strategic corridor alignment and the engineering concept underpinning the development.

He observed that irrespective of political affiliation, professional engineers and other technical experts should be able to objectively recognise infrastructure projects whose planning and engineering characteristics have the potential to produce enduring national value.

He said the coastal highway represented a significant long-term transportation infrastructure intervention, especially in terms of inter-city and regional connectivity, corridor development, reduction of travel distances and travel time.

He said this would also improved freight movement, integration of coastal communities, stimulation of economic activities and the opening up of new areas for planned development.

He stated, “Its scale, alignment and strategic corridor concept also offer opportunities for integrated development of complementary infrastructure.

”This including bridges and interchanges, drainage and flood-control systems, road safety facilities, service areas, logistics infrastructure and other transport-related facilities.”

He said the significance of such a project should also be assessed beyond the immediate construction activity.

He added that one should take into consideration its potential contribution to regional spatial planning, economic integration, industrial development, tourism, logistics and the creation of new economic corridors along Nigeria’s coastline.

He added, “From the standpoint of infrastructure planning, a properly executed coastal transportation corridor can become an important backbone for connecting communities, productive centres, ports, commercial hubs and emerging development zones.”

Mr Kinglsey acknowledged that, as with any infrastructure project of such enormous scale, legitimate questions concerning cost, financing, procurement, construction methodology, environmental considerations, right-of-way management, project phasing, quality control, value for money and long-term maintenance must be subjected to appropriate professional and institutional scrutiny.

“Such scrutiny, however, should not prevent objective recognition of the potential engineering and developmental significance of the project,” he added.

He, therefore, called on all PRP aspirants and candidates contesting offices of governor, senator, member of the House of Representatives and member of the state house of assembly to conduct their campaigns on issues and clearly explain what they intend to do differently if elected.

He said, “Rather than spending their campaigns merely attacking incumbent governments, PRP candidates should demonstrate how their programmes will improve security, education, healthcare, agriculture, employment, infrastructure, industrialisation, social welfare and the overall wellbeing of citizens within their respective jurisdictions.”

According to him, while the Lagos–Calabar coastal highway project is commended for its strategic significance, such commendation must not blind us to the broader realities of governance in Nigeria.

“It is precisely because of this urgent national necessity that we have stepped forward through the YMK Nigeria Project, under the ideological and political platform of PRP, to offer Nigerians a genuine alternative.”

“Our objective is not simply to criticise those in power nor to seek political office for its own sake, but to present a comprehensive programme of government built around people-centred policies,” he said.

Mr Kingsley said that the PRP’s historic philosophy, associated with the progressive traditions of the late Aminu Kano, Balarabe Musa and other leaders of the party, was founded on social justice, equality, popular participation, accountability and the protection of the interests of ordinary Nigerians.

He assured PRP candidates across the country that he would join them during electioneering to mobilise support for the party and contribute to the collective effort to make the PRP victorious at the polls.

“The PRP must remain a political platform through which citizens can exercise their democratic rights freely and meaningfully,” he said.

He called for an issue-based, peaceful and credible electoral process that places the Nigerian people, rather than political interests, at the centre of the 2027 contest.

Mr Kingsley stressed the need for absolute neutrality and professionalism by INEC and security agencies throughout the 2027 electoral process.

(NAN)