RismadarVoice Reporters
October 23, 2026
Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri has criticised former Cross River State Governor Donald Duke over his opposition to aspects of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project, describing him as a “jester and a pretender.”
Diri made the remarks on Thursday during the 200th meeting of the Bayelsa State Executive Council at Government House, Yenagoa, as their disagreement over the proposed highway intensified.
The controversy followed Duke’s comments on ARISE Television, where he questioned the financial feasibility of constructing the highway through Bayelsa’s swampy terrain and described Diri as a “local champion.”
Responding, Diri defended his position, saying his responsibility as an elected governor was to protect the interests of Bayelsa residents.
“Yes, I am a local champion because that is where I was raised,” he said, maintaining that he was elected to champion the interests of his people.
The governor argued that difficult terrain should not prevent infrastructure development, citing ongoing road and bridge projects in Bayelsa as evidence that construction was possible.
He also questioned Duke’s record as Cross River governor, referring to the transfer of the Bakassi Peninsula to Cameroon during his administration.
Diri accused the former governor of failing to defend local interests adequately and questioned his political standing ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
He further alleged that Duke’s presidential ambition under the Peoples Redemption Party was an attempt to rehabilitate his political image.
The governor maintained that his response was not merely personal but reflected his determination to challenge descriptions of Bayelsa as a state incapable of major infrastructure development.
Diri also disclosed his disagreement with Minister of Works David Umahi over proposals to realign sections of the coastal highway with the existing East-West Road.
He insisted that both projects should remain separate, arguing that coastal communities required improved transportation networks.
However, Duke rejected the suggestion that he opposed infrastructure development in Bayelsa.
Speaking to Premium Times, the former governor clarified that his concerns centred on the project’s cost, technical requirements and financial viability.
He said he had used Bayelsa’s terrain to illustrate the engineering challenges involved, rather than suggest that the state should remain undeveloped.
The disagreement highlights continuing debate over the coastal highway’s proposed alignment, economic justification and potential benefits to Niger Delta communities.
