Not Bad Roads, But Checkpoints” — Peter Obi Reveals Real Cause Of Traffic Chaos

Former presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has attributed the persistent gridlock on Nigerian highways to the poor placement of security checkpoints across the country.

In a post shared on his (formerly Twitter) handle on Sunday, Obi recounted his travel experiences during the festive period, describing the traffic congestion he encountered as alarming.

According to him, the situation was so severe that some commuters were forced to abandon their trips altogether after spending several hours stuck in traffic.

“This festive season, I travelled on several major roads nationwide and witnessed disturbing levels of congestion,” Obi wrote. “In some instances, travellers heading to far destinations had no choice but to turn back after hours of frustration.”

Obi said a closer assessment of the situation showed that the congestion was largely caused by poorly located security checkpoints, especially those positioned at narrow sections of roads or near construction areas.

“These checkpoints, when placed at bottlenecks or construction zones, effectively bring traffic to a halt and are nothing short of irresponsible,” he noted.

He added that similar reports were emerging from different parts of the country, indicating that the problem is widespread and not limited to specific regions.

The former Anambra State governor argued that issues often considered minor deserve serious attention because of their direct impact on citizens’ daily lives.

“Some may regard these observations as trivial, but they have far-reaching consequences and significantly affect how people live and move,” he said.

While acknowledging the efforts and sacrifices of Nigeria’s security personnel, Obi stressed the need for improved judgment and flexibility, especially during peak travel seasons.

“Our security agencies deserve respect for their service, but there must be better discretion and adaptability during periods of heavy travel. Many Nigerians are journeying long distances on bad roads just to return to work,” he stated.

Obi warned that prolonged delays leave motorists exhausted and heighten the risk of road accidents, as fatigue impairs concentration and reaction time.

“These avoidable delays push drivers to exhaustion and increase the likelihood of accidents. There is no justification for subjecting travellers to such hardship,” he added.

He further argued that the current situation undermines the purpose of security operations on highways.

“Security measures are meant to protect lives, not put them in danger. When people who start their journeys early end up stranded on the road after nightfall, they become more vulnerable in an already insecure environment,” Obi warned.

Calling for urgent reforms, Obi urged security agencies to adopt a more coordinated and strategic approach to traffic management.

“Checkpoints should be located away from narrow roads and construction zones, inspections should be faster during peak periods, and agencies must work together to eliminate unnecessary bottlenecks,” he said.

He concluded that implementing these measures would ease traffic congestion without compromising security, ultimately making Nigerian roads safer and more humane for commuters.