Popular Nigerian cleric, Pastor Chukwuemeka Odumeje, has accused the Federal Government of using the planned repair of the Onitsha Head Bridge for political purposes ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Odumeje made the allegation while delivering a sermon, questioning the timing of the repair and the amount reportedly allocated to the project.
According to the controversial pastor, the government only became interested in fixing the bridge because the 2027 elections are drawing closer. He further expressed concern that the repair could take an extended period before the bridge is reopened to motorists.
“Federal Government has come to play politics with Onitsha Head Bridge. That is why, now that the 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,” he said.
Beyond the bridge project, Odumeje also took aim at political leaders in the South-East, accusing them of failing to do enough to tackle some of the challenges facing the region.
The cleric particularly expressed concern over the absence of an embassy in the South-East, noting that residents seeking visas often have to travel to Abuja or Lagos to access such services.
“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,” he added.
Odumeje questioned the efforts of South-East political and influential elites, accusing them of failing to adequately address the region’s infrastructure and diplomatic needs.
His remarks have sparked renewed conversations about the condition of major infrastructure in the South-East, political representation and the distribution of federal institutions across different parts of Nigeria.