Prophet Chukwuemeka Cyril Ohanaemere, popularly known as Odumeje, has criticised the Federal Government’s publicity surrounding the rehabilitation of the First Niger Bridge, arguing that the project should not be presented as though a new bridge has been constructed.
The General Overseer of Mountain of Holy Ghost Intervention and Deliverance Ministry made the remarks in a video shared on X, where he questioned the government’s decision to prominently showcase the rehabilitated bridge.
Odumeje said the bridge had served the South-East for decades and described the celebration of its rehabilitation as misplaced.
“If I see any of you at Onitsha Head Bridge celebrating that you maintained a 1950s bridge for the South-East, Holy Ghost will kill you there. This country has no conscience,” he said.
He also criticised the government’s online publicity of the project, saying the presentation could give the impression that the bridge was newly constructed.
“If you see the way the government is showing this bridge everywhere on the internet, you will think it is a newly constructed bridge, without knowing that it is a bridge built years ago,” he said.
The cleric compared the situation to repainting an old vehicle and celebrating it as a new acquisition.
“Imagine someone celebrating his car that he parked for over 50 years after repainting it,” he added.
The comments followed controversy over remarks by the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, who had said the rehabilitated bridge would be decorated with pictures of President Bola Tinubu upon completion.
The minister’s comment had drawn criticism from some Nigerians, particularly on social media, with reactions focusing on the planned presentation of the bridge and the government’s handling of the rehabilitation project.
Odumeje’s remarks add to the public reactions surrounding the ongoing rehabilitation and the Federal Government’s efforts to highlight the project.
