Coastal Road: ‘I’m local champion; you’re pretender’ — Gov Diri replies Duke
By Adegboyega Adeleye
Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri has criticized former Cross River State Governor Donald Duke, labeling him a “jester and a pretender” following Duke’s recent comments regarding the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway.
During an interview on Arise Television, Duke, the presidential candidate for the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), referred to Diri as a “local champion.” He argued that the coastal highway project is impractical due to its costs and the challenging terrain of Bayelsa State.
Governor Diri responded, disputing Duke’s assertion that constructing the highway through Bayelsa would be unfeasible. He suggested that Duke is “not abreast of current developments in road construction and infrastructure” in the region.
In a follow-up statement, Duke remarked on Diri’s comments: “The governor of Bayelsa, if he did say so, I don’t know the fellow, but if he did say so, I think he’s just being a local champion.”
One week later, Diri addressed Duke’s remarks in a video that has gained widespread attention. He acknowledged his identity as a “local champion,” stating he was elected to represent and advocate for his constituents.
“Yes, I’m a local champion because that is where I was raised. I am elected to defend the local people. But Donald Duke, let me ask you, you were in office when Bakassi was ceded out of Nigeria,” Diri said. “You were the sitting governor of Cross River State, and because you are not a local champion, you did nothing about it. I believe that you are more of a jester and a pretender.”
Diri also challenged Duke’s political credibility, emphasizing that the ongoing discourse concerns the needs of his constituents rather than personal animosities.
“Donald Duke, I don’t insult leaders; I don’t insult elders. But what you have done is not just about me; it is about my environment, it is about my people,” Diri stated.
He defended the development potential of Bayelsa and other coastal areas, insisting that such regions should not be underestimated due to difficult terrain. “All of us from this region, particularly from Bayelsa State, do not accept the narrative that your state cannot be developed,” he added. “We have a rich ancestry, and our terrain, if developed properly, can lead us to success.”
Additionally, Diri expressed gratitude towards the President for backing the coastal road initiative, viewing it as a critical opportunity to combat poverty and improve conditions for coastal communities.
