Inibehe Effiong, a human rights attorney, has criticized the trend of rebranding state-funded projects to honor President Bola Tinubu, calling the practice an example of unbridled sycophancy. During a Monday appearance on Arise Television, Effiong argued that these naming choices fail to prioritize the public good.
His comments followed the decision to rename the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road after the president. Effiong stated that public infrastructure should possess names that maintain a clear connection to the public interest. He noted that the original name, Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road, clearly defined the project’s purpose of linking the two cities. Changing it to the Bola Tinubu Coastal Road lacks logical justification.
The lawyer expressed concern over a growing pattern of ego-driven renaming across various government sectors. He pointed to other examples, such as the National Assembly library and facilities managed by the immigration service, which have also been rebranded to honor the president. Effiong concluded that a leader who truly believes in their service to the nation should allow history to evaluate their legacy rather than seeking immediate recognition through public property.
