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From Tony John, Port Harcourt
The Media Director of Tinubu Support Group, TSG, in Bayelsa State, Udengs Eradiri, has taken a swipe at former Governor of Cross River State, Donald Duke, over his remarks on the challenges posed by the Niger Delta’s terrain to development.
Eradiri on Friday accused Duke of displaying ignorance and playing politics with the future of the region, describing his position as reckless and misleading.
He said the former governor lacked understanding of the geographical realities of the Niger Delta and failed to appreciate how engineering, political will and sustained investment could overcome environmental challenges.
The former President of Ijaw Youths Council (IYC) Worldwide, cited the coastal road project being executed by the Tinubu administration as proof of determination to confront difficult infrastructure challenges.
According to him, some sections of the coastal road pass through difficult terrain, particularly along the Lekki-Epe axis, where he participated in initial clearing and sand-filling.
“All over the world, engineering backed with serious governance has conquered terrains worse than the ones in the Niger Delta to build critical infrastructure. We cannot see why the Niger Delta case should be different,” he said.
Eradiri contrasted Duke’s position with Tinubu’s willingness to undertake ambitious infrastructure projects, arguing that political will was key to unlocking the Niger Delta’s economic potential.
He listed the road to Bonny Island and the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway as examples of the administration’s resolve.
“How did Tinubu complete a road to Bonny? He did it because of political will. How is Tinubu building the coastal road? He is doing it because he has the political will; the will that the likes of Donald Duke do not have, yet they want people to vote for them,” he said.
“Tinubu has demonstrated the political will to do the most difficult things that others shy away from. These are the things required to lay a solid foundation for the development and prosperity of this country,” Eradiri added.
He described Tinubu as a leader who sees difficult terrain as an engineering and governance challenge, not a permanent barrier.
Eradiri said the region needs leaders capable of mobilising resources, deploying modern engineering and sustaining investments to connect rural communities and expand market access.
He insisted the Niger Delta’s prospects should not be limited by its riverine geography, noting that developments in Bayelsa have shown the terrain is developable.
