A chieftain of the Peoples Redemption Party, Yakubu Kingsley, has urged opposition politicians to adopt a constructive approach to political engagement as parties prepare for the 2027 general elections.
Kingsley said opposition parties should focus on constructive criticism, objectivity and the provision of workable alternatives instead of rejecting government policies and projects outright.
He made the call in a statement issued in Abuja on Sunday while responding to remarks by former Cross River State Governor, Donald Duke, regarding the ongoing Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project.
Duke, the presidential candidate of the PRP currently recognised by the Independent National Electoral Commission, had during a television interview described the coastal highway as a misplaced priority of the Federal Government.
Kingsley, who is contesting in court the May 25 primary that produced Duke as the party’s presidential candidate, argued that political disagreements should not prevent individuals or parties from recognising government initiatives they consider beneficial.
“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,” he said.
He maintained that the same principle should apply to the PRP, saying the party must be prepared to recognise positive government actions while drawing attention to shortcomings that require correction.
“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,” Kingsley said.
Drawing from his professional experience as an engineer and highway engineer, Kingsley said the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway could play an important role in improving transportation and economic links along Nigeria’s coastline.
He commended the Federal Government for what he described as the project’s “broad project scoping, strategic corridor alignment and the engineering concept underpinning the development.”
According to him, the highway has the potential to strengthen inter-city and regional connections, shorten travel distances and journey times, enhance the movement of goods and encourage economic activity.
He added, “From an engineering perspective, the coastal highway represents a significant long-term transportation infrastructure intervention, particularly in terms of inter-city and regional connectivity, corridor development, reduction of travel distances and travel time.”
Kingsley further said the project could promote the integration of coastal communities while creating opportunities for tourism, logistics, industrial expansion and the development of new economic corridors.
“Its scale, alignment and strategic corridor concept also offer opportunities for integrated development of complementary infrastructure, including bridges and interchanges, drainage and flood-control systems, road safety facilities, service areas, logistics infrastructure and other transport-related facilities,” he said.
The PRP chieftain, however, said the project should be subjected to proper scrutiny, particularly in areas such as cost, financing, procurement, environmental considerations, right-of-way management, construction methods, quality control, value for money and long-term maintenance.
“Such scrutiny, however, should not prevent objective recognition of the potential engineering and developmental significance of the project,” he said.
Kingsley also called on PRP candidates seeking governorship, senatorial, House of Representatives and state House of Assembly positions in 2027 to make issue-based campaigns and practical alternatives central to their electioneering.
“Rather than spending their campaigns merely attacking incumbent governments, PRP candidates should demonstrate how their programmes will improve security, education, healthcare, agriculture, employment, infrastructure, industrialization, social welfare and the overall wellbeing of citizens within their respective jurisdictions,” he said.
He clarified that his positive assessment of the coastal highway should not be interpreted as an endorsement of the Tinubu administration’s overall performance.
He stated “The truth must be spoken; the present administration has, in several critical respects, failed to meet the expectations of Nigerians, particularly in addressing insecurity, poverty, unemployment, energy poverty, rising living costs, institutional weaknesses, infrastructure deficits and the widening gap between government and the governed.”
According to Kingsley, Nigerians need a government capable of confronting the country’s wider development challenges, adding that his political platform was presenting an alternative centred on competence, accountability and people-focused governance.
He said, “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, measurable programmes and actionable solutions.”
He urged political parties and candidates to pursue peaceful, credible and issue-driven campaigns ahead of the 2027 elections, stressing the need to put the interests of Nigerians ahead of partisan considerations.
The statement comes as political parties and aspirants intensify preparations and mobilisation ahead of the 2027 general elections.
