The Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, have disapproved claims to name the second Niger bridge after President Muhammadu Buhari.
Current situation
Presidential aide Bashir Ahmad in a tweet hinted that they would name the 1.6km second Niger bridge after President Muhammadu Buhari. This report has faced criticism from Nigerians, especially the Igbo group, IPOB, as they claim no significant project in the north is named after someone with Igbo ethnicity.
What they are saying
IPOB, in response to the claims, said that the bridge should bear Achuzie Bridge or should be named after an accomplished Igbo patriot such as the late Chinua Achebe, Chu Okongwu, Cyprian Ekwensi, Alex Ekwueme, Michael Okpara, Akanu Ibiam, Mbonu Ojike and Kenneth Dike, Late Professor Eni Njoku, Late Professor Dora Akunyili, Late Dee Sam Onunaka Mbakwe, Late Phillips Efiong, and Chief Mbazuluike Amechi.
IPOB claims that under President Buhari’s administration, the Igbo tribe suffered severe neglect during the security crisis that rocked several parts of eastern states. It says Igbo youths were slaughtered, Fulani herdsmen invaded igbo communities destroying lives and properties, and violated women in the region.
Second Niger bridge
The second Niger bridge is a 1.6km bridge which would serve as a link between Onitsha, Anambra State and Asaba, Delta State. Listed as one of the three major Presidential Infrastructure Development Fund (PIDF) projects, the bridge has scooped N206 billion so far. The bridge links to one of the biggest markets in Nigeria and West Africa. Also, the second Niger bridge relieves the traffic that currently burdens thousands of workers, traders and commuters plying that route.