A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Anambra State, Ndubuisi Nwobu, has criticised Works Minister Dave Umahi’s directive to display President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s photographs on the First Niger Bridge.
Umahi gave the directive during an inspection of the ongoing rehabilitation of the bridge, saying the move would recognise Tinubu’s intervention in the repair project.
In a statement on Thursday, Nwobu described the move as sycophancy taken too far.
Nwobu, who is also the ADC’s deputy governorship candidate in the 2025 Anambra election, described the directive as excessive praise for the President.
He argued that the rehabilitation was funded with public resources and should therefore be presented as a government responsibility rather than a personal favour by Tinubu.
The ADC chieftain also questioned the political value of decorating the bridge with the President’s photographs, saying Nigerians would ultimately make their choices at the polls based on their preferences.
According to him, Nigerians will vote for whoever they want on election day, noting that the government used money from the commonwealth to build the bridge.
“The Minister of Works’ directive for the First Niger Bridge to be decorated with President Tinubu’s photographs is sycophancy taken too far.
“The money used in the maintenance of the bridge is not Tinubu’s personal money. The money belongs to the entire citizens of this country.” He said.
The controversy comes amid ongoing rehabilitation of the First Niger Bridge, which links Onitsha in Anambra State with Asaba in Delta State.
Umahi has also ordered the removal of illegal advertisements from the bridge and directed additional work, including the installation of solar lights and completion of CCTV facilities.
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