Peter Obi has urged the Federal Government to prioritise fixing existing roads across Nigeria before embarking on new construction projects
The NDC presidential candidate and former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi, has called on the Federal Government to prioritise the rehabilitation of existing road infrastructure across Nigeria rather than focusing on new construction projects.
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Obi made the appeal in a post shared on his official X handle on Monday, 29 June 2026, where he argued that restoring key highways would deliver more immediate and widespread benefits to citizens compared to initiating fresh road developments.
He stressed that successive administrations should shift attention towards maintaining and upgrading already deteriorating road networks, particularly those that serve as major economic corridors.
“There is a pertinent reason I have consistently advocated that we should refrain from initiating new road construction projects until we have thoroughly rehabilitated and maintained our existing road network,” Obi wrote.
He added that the country’s focus should be on repairing critical roads rather than pursuing new dualisation projects that offer limited additional value while existing infrastructure continues to decay.
Obi cited the Asaba–Benin Road as a major example, describing it as a vital transport corridor connecting several states across the South-South, South-East and parts of the North-Central region to Lagos.
He lamented that large portions of the highway had fallen into poor condition, leading to severe traffic congestion and hardship for commuters, businesses and transport operators who rely on the route daily.
“Despite its significance, substantial sections of this road are in a lamentable condition. It has become a major impediment, precipitating persistent traffic congestion and inflicting undue hardship on travellers, businesses, and transport operators,” he said.
Obi noted that the situation reflected a broader national challenge, where many major highways across the country remain in disrepair despite their economic importance.
He further argued that government spending should be directed towards rebuilding and maintaining existing infrastructure rather than prioritising projects that may have more political visibility than practical impact.
“The Nigerian populace requires functional and motorable roads, not merely projects that garner public attention,” he stated.
Obi concluded that addressing the condition of critical road networks should take precedence, warning against what he described as superficial improvements that do not solve long-standing infrastructure challenges.
Also read: NDC Open to Opposition Coalition Ahead of 2027 Election
His remarks add to ongoing public debate over Nigeria’s infrastructure strategy, particularly the balance between new capital projects and the rehabilitation of existing assets.
