Coastal Highway: Diri Is a Statesman, Not Local Champion — Ben Murray-Bruce Fires Back at Donald Duke
Former Senator representing Bayelsa East Senatorial District, Ben Murray-Bruce, has defended Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, against criticism by former Cross River State Governor Donald Duke over the controversial Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project.
Murray-Bruce described Diri as a statesman who understands the importance of major infrastructure development, rejecting Duke’s description of the Bayelsa governor as a “local champion.”
The former lawmaker, in a statement on Friday, October 16, 2026, said Diri’s support for the coastal highway was informed by his appreciation of infrastructure of international standard rather than narrow regional interests.
“When Governor Douye Diri commended the road, he was not speaking as a local champion; he was speaking as a statesman who recognises infrastructure of international standard when he sees it. I agree with him completely,” Murray-Bruce declared.
The controversy followed Duke’s criticism of the Federal Government’s ambitious coastal highway project, which he argued would be difficult and extremely expensive to construct through the swampy terrain of the Niger Delta.
Governor Diri had rejected Duke’s position, citing road and bridge projects undertaken by his administration across swamps and mangrove forests in Bayelsa State as evidence that such infrastructure development was achievable.
However, Duke, who is seeking the presidency under the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) in the 2027 general elections, dismissed Diri’s argument during an interview on Arise Television on Thursday.
“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,” Duke stated.
Reacting, Murray-Bruce expressed surprise at Duke’s criticism, recalling that they had previously travelled together along the coastline where the highway is being developed.
“My dear brother Donald Duke, some years ago, you and I travelled along the stretch of the coastline where this road now runs, and I clearly remember your praise for the vision behind it. That is why your recent comments surprised me,” he said.
The former senator acknowledged that the project would require substantial financial investment but maintained that its long-term importance justified the expenditure.
He also defended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to the highway, insisting that the Federal Government was fulfilling its funding obligations.
“There is no funding shortfall. The work is progressing, and the quality of construction is second to none,” he stated.
Murray-Bruce further suggested that Duke’s criticism was politically motivated, given his presidential ambition, while acknowledging his right to challenge government policies.
He cautioned that political disagreements should not undermine infrastructure projects intended to serve future generations.
“When mankind went to the moon, it was neither cheap nor free. But it was necessary. So is this road,” Murray-Bruce concluded.
The disagreement between Diri and Duke has continued to generate debate over the feasibility, cost and economic importance of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, particularly its proposed passage through the Niger Delta’s challenging coastal terrain.
