Peter Obi, a prominent Nigerian politician and former governor of Anambra State, recently shared his frustrations with the poor state of Nigerian roads.

Obi was on his way to Esan Central in Edo State to attend the funeral of Mrs.

Ebaidebheki Esakhaigbe, the mother of his close friend, General Cecil Esekhaigbe, when his journey was abruptly halted by roadblocks and impassable routes.

Setting out at 8 a.m., Obi had initially planned a straightforward route through Benin, but his previous encounters with the deteriorating roads on that path made him reconsider.

He chose instead to travel through Agbor, hoping it would be a smoother alternative.

But upon reaching Agbor Junction, he was disheartened to find that the road was barely passable, with large potholes and rough surfaces making the trip increasingly difficult.

Just 25 minutes into the journey, Obi’s hopes were crushed as he encountered a stalled trailer blocking the road entirely.

The vehicle had caused a gridlock, leaving all movement at a standstill.

Determined to reach his destination, he rerouted through Ugoneki Road, another alternative that seemed promising.

However, the condition of the road was equally appalling, making it impossible for him to proceed.

Reflecting on his experience, Obi voiced deep disappointment over the state of Nigerian roads, which he said causes grief for countless citizens who rely on them daily.

Unable to attend the funeral in person, he sent his earnest prayers to his friend, General Esekhaigbe, for a successful event, expressing regret for not being able to bid farewell to Mrs. Ebaidebheki Esakhaigbe in person.

In his statement, Obi appealed passionately to Nigerian leaders, urging them to prioritize infrastructure maintenance over launching new projects.

“I use this opportunity to continue to plead with our political leaders, at all levels, to concentrate on maintaining, rehabilitating, and reconstructing our existing roads and other infrastructure rather than embarking on new projects that will never be completed,” he said.

His words echoed the sentiment of many Nigerians who are weary of unfulfilled promises regarding road development and are eager for real improvements.

General Cecil Esekhaigbe, the host of the funeral Obi hoped to attend, is a distinguished figure in the Nigerian military with roots in Edo State.

Known for his dedication to service and his strong connection to his community, Esekhaigbe has been a close ally of Obi.

The general’s mother, Mrs Ebaidebheki Esakhaigbe, was cherished by her family and respected in her community, and her passing was a moment of mourning not only for her family but for the community that knew her well.

Concluding, Obi expressed a desire for a “New Nigeria” where citizens can travel freely and safely, envisioning a future where infrastructure truly meets the needs of the people.