Odita Sunday 
When livelihoods become expendable and threats become political language
I listened with sadness to the Minister of Works, David Umahi, explain the diversion of sections of the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway because of difficult terrain. His explanation raises a question Nigerians deserve to have answered: what did the original feasibility studies reveal, and when were these engineering challenges identified?
Where are the geological investigations, environmental assessments, route evaluations and consultations that informed the decisions?
A route can change for sound engineering reasons. But citizens deserve to know whether adequate planning preceded decisions that affected their homes, businesses and livelihoods.
Across this project, demolitions have affected homes and businesses. That does not establish that every demolished property lies along the newly diverted section, but it makes transparency about the original and revised routes essential.
Behind every demolished business is someone who invested years of labour. Behind every lost livelihood is a family wondering how to pay school fees, buy food or afford treatment.
A government can redraw a road. A family cannot simply redraw the years it spent building its future.
Publish the assessments. Explain the changes. Account for the losses. Show how affected citizens have been treated and compensated.
Then comes another disturbing question: how did our politics descend to the point where a party chairman speaks about biting another Nigerian’s ear?
In a published interview, Edo State APC Chairman Jarrett Tenebe said he would bite Peter Obi’s ear and chew it. Such language is grotesque and deserves unequivocal condemnation. (tribuneonlineng.com)
What example does this set for supporters? What message does it send to young Nigerians already surrounded by intimidation and violence?
Political disagreement must never become permission to threaten another person’s body or dignity. Party leaders should answer opposing ideas with arguments, evidence and competing programmes.
No party flag should become a shield against accountability.
The police must take threats seriously. Political parties must discipline those who promote intimidation. The judiciary must protect citizens impartially. Membership of the governing party must never confer immunity.
When institutions excuse threatening conduct, they teach citizens that power matters more than justice. When public projects disregard human suffering, they teach families that their sacrifices do not count.
This is how trust dies.
Yet Nigerians still possess a powerful instrument for demanding change: the vote. We must use it thoughtfully, peacefully and persistently—and demand an electoral system that records and respects it.
Do not exchange your future for cash, rice or gifts. The money offered tyoday will finish; the consequences of bad leadership may remain for years.
Vote for competence. Vote for character. Vote for leaders who respect human life and account for public money.
Vote for a Nigeria where everyone is equal before the law, where institutions are stronger than officeholders, and where no citizen needs political connections to obtain justice.
Let politicians fear losing an honest election. Let lawbreakers fear prosecution. Let no Nigerian fear expressing a lawful political choice.
Our country deserves better. Our children deserve better. And our votes must become a demand that those entrusted with power finally do better.
Chris Okobah PhD
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