“Federal Government Is Playing Politics With Onitsha Head Bridge” — Odumeje Slams FG

 

Image: IG 

Prophet Chukwuemeka Odumeje has raised questions over the timing of the Federal Government’s intervention on the Onitsha Head Bridge, suggesting that the repair is being influenced by political considerations as the country moves closer to the 2027 general elections.

Odumeje made the remarks while speaking to members of his congregation, where he turned his attention to the condition of infrastructure in the South-East and what he described as the failure of political leaders from the region to demand better treatment for their people.

For the controversial cleric, the decision to begin work on the major bridge at this particular period deserves closer attention. He suggested that the government’s interest in the bridge had become more pronounced because another election was approaching.

“Federal Government has come to play politics with Onitsha Head Bridge. That is because election is close, they have come to repair it.

If you hear how much they budgeted for that, you will be shocked. Before you know it, it will take too long to reopen. All the elites in Igbo land are busy making noise.

It’s so shameful that in 2026, there is no embassy in the South-East. Before anyone can get a visa, he or she must travel to Abuja or Lagos.

When we talk about one Nigeria, every major tribe should have at least one seaport and one international embassy. But in the South-East, there is nothing. Our elites keep deceiving themselves.”

Beyond the bridge project, Odumeje used the opportunity to speak about what he sees as a wider imbalance in the distribution of important government facilities across the country.

He particularly pointed to the absence of a federal embassy or major diplomatic facility in the South-East, saying residents who need visa-related services are forced to travel to Abuja or Lagos.

His argument was that the idea of one Nigeria should also be reflected in the distribution of critical infrastructure and public institutions. Rather than having certain regions consistently travel long distances to access basic government services, he believes facilities should be spread more evenly across the country.

The Onitsha Head Bridge itself remains an important route connecting communities and facilitating movement and commercial activities in the South-East. Any prolonged disruption to the bridge could therefore have consequences for motorists, traders and businesses that depend on the route.

Odumeje’s comments also focused on the role of political and community leaders from the South-East. He questioned whether the region’s influential figures have done enough to push for projects and institutions that would directly benefit the people.

His criticism, therefore, went beyond the repair work itself. He connected the bridge project, the absence of diplomatic facilities and what he considers inadequate federal presence in the region to a broader conversation about equity in the Nigerian federation.

As the 2027 elections draw closer, Odumeje’s remarks place the timing of the bridge repair under political scrutiny while also renewing his call for greater federal attention to the South-East.

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