Peter Obi, the 2023 Presidential candidate of the Labour Party, has attributed the deaths of 35 individuals in accidents in Kogi and Enugu states to the poor state of road infrastructure and insecurity prevalent during President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
Oni made theses remarks in several post shared on his official sosvial media handle on Wednesday. He highlighted recent accidents in Kogi which resulted in 19 fatalities and Enugu where 16 lives were lost on Tuesday .
According to Obi, it is imperative to prioritize the allocation of national resources towards improving internal road networks ratham than focusing on projects like 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 accident happens 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 accident 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 channeled 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 resumes t for theses 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 said.
Obi has expressed disagreement with the Nigerian federal government regarding the justification for construes 700-Kilometer Lagos-calabar Coastal highway. However, the Nigerian government accused Obi of inciting Igbo people against the Tinubu administration.