Former Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has urged the federal government to focus on repairing Nigeria’s deteriorating road network instead of launching new road projects. His call for action follows a devastating tanker explosion on the Ilorin-Jebba expressway in Kwara State on February 28, 2025, which resulted in the deaths of over 60 people.
Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Obi expressed deep concern over the state of Nigeria’s road infrastructure, emphasizing that many fatal accidents are caused by poor road conditions. According to initial reports, the tragic accident involved a petrol tanker carrying 33,000 litres of fuel and a truck loaded with fertilizer. The collision led to a fuel spill, sparking a massive fire that claimed dozens of lives.
Reacting to the incident, Obi stressed the need for urgent action to rehabilitate existing roads and enhance road safety measures. He criticized the government’s focus on initiating new road projects while existing ones remain in a dangerous state.
“The tragic collision on February 28, 2025, along the Ilorin-Jebba expressway, which took over 60 lives, is a painful reminder of the urgent need to prioritize the reconstruction of existing roads, improve safety regulations, and enforce stricter measures for transporting hazardous materials,” Obi stated. “Rather than embarking on new road projects that may never be completed, we must focus on fixing the ones we already have.”
Highlighting the growing number of road accidents, Obi described the situation as alarming and urged authorities to take decisive steps to prevent further tragedies.
“I recently visited the site of a similar incident in Suleja, where over 100 people were burnt alive due to the deplorable state of our roads,he recounted. On
my way to Kafanchan recently, I spent more than three and a half hours navigating roads that are nothing short of death traps.”
Obi extended his heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and called on Nigerians to unite in advocating for better infrastructure.
“As we mourn this tragic loss, my thoughts and prayers are with the affected families and the people of Kwara State. May God grant eternal rest to the departed and provide strength to their grieving loved ones,” he said.
He concluded by urging the government and citizens alike to work together in preventing avoidable road tragedies. “Through collective responsibility and unwavering commitment, we can build a safer and more secure nation for everyone,” he affirmed.
Obi’s remarks have reignited discussions on Nigeria’s crumbling infrastructure, with many citizens echoing his concerns. As pressure mounts on the federal government to take action, the need for sustainable road rehabilitation and enhanced safety measures has become more urgent than ever.
