The fiery Anambra clergyman has strong words for the Federal Government over the Onitsha Overhead Bridge repairs
—
Popular South East prophet and Anambra powerhouse, Chukwuemeka Cyril Ohanaemere — better known as Odumeje, the Indaboski* — has unleashed his trademark fire on the Tinubu-led Federal Government, blasting them for throwing a celebration over the recent repairs carried out on the *Onitsha Overhead Bridge.
The outspoken clergyman, who has never been one to mince words, made it clear that there is absolutely nothing to pop champagne about when it comes to fixing infrastructure that should have been in top condition all along.
“This Is Not an Achievement — It Is a Basic Responsibility”
For those who know Odumeje, silence has never been his style. The Lion himself stepped forward to voice what many Nigerians — especially those in the South East — have been feeling in their chests but perhaps lacked the platform to say out loud.
His message was sharp and direct: the Federal Government has no business celebrating the repair of a bridge as if they just built the Third Mainland Bridge from scratch. Maintaining public infrastructure is not a favour to Nigerians — it is the bare minimum expectation of any government worth its salt.
The Onitsha Overhead Bridge is a critical lifeline for commerce and movement in Anambra State. Anyone who has experienced the chaos of Onitsha traffic knows just how vital that bridge is to the daily hustle of traders, transporters, and ordinary citizens trying to make ends meet in one of Nigeria’s busiest commercial cities.
When Maintenance Becomes a “Project”
This is perhaps the bigger conversation Odumeje’s outburst is opening up — and it is one that resonates deeply across Nigeria.
We have reached a point in this country where fixing a pothole becomes a press conference, repainting a road marking earns a ministerial statement, and patching up an old bridge is treated like a groundbreaking national achievement. Meanwhile, Nigerians are the ones who have been suffering the consequences of years of neglect.
For the traders of Onitsha Main Market, the bus drivers navigating that route daily, and the millions who depend on that corridor for their livelihoods — the repairs are welcome, yes. But a celebration? That is where many draw the line.
The Voice of the People
Whether you are a fan of Odumeje’s style or not, there is no denying that he often gives voice to the frustrations simmering within everyday Nigerians. From Onitsha to Oshodi, from Kano to Calabar, the sentiment is largely the same — we do not want fanfare, we want functional infrastructure.
Nigerians are not asking for miracles. They are asking for roads that do not swallow cars, bridges that do not scare commuters, and a government that treats the upkeep of public assets as routine duty — not as a campaign talking point.
As Odumeje himself would probably put it: “This thing wey you do, na your work. Celebrate wetin?”
What do you think? Is the Federal Government right to highlight the Onitsha Bridge repairs as a win, or is Odumeje making a valid point? Drop your thoughts in the comments below. 👇
For more information, check buzzUp9ja
Be the first to comment