Prophet Chukwuemeka Cyril Ohanaemere, popularly called Odumeje, condemned the [Federal Government](https://www.gov.ng/) on X for portraying the refurbished Onitsha‑Asaba [River Niger Bridge](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Onitsha%E2%80%93Asaba_Bridge) as a brand‑new structure, warning that such celebration misleads Nigerians about the age of the 1950s‑era crossing in the southeast region.
**What did Odumeje say?**
He warned that anyone seen “celebrating” the bridge would face divine retribution, stating: “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 added that the government’s online promotion makes the old bridge appear newly constructed, likening it to “someone celebrating his car that he parked for over 50 years after repainting it.”
**Why is the bridge controversial?**
The structure links Onitsha in Anambra State with Asaba, the capital of Delta State, serving as a vital corridor that connects the eastern region of Nigeria to the southern and western parts of the country. Although the bridge has existed for decades, recent rehabilitation work has been highlighted by officials as a major achievement.
**What did officials claim?**
Earlier, the [Minister of Works Dave Umahi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dave_Umahi) announced that, once fully completed, the bridge would be adorned with images of President [Bola Tinubu](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bola_Tinubu). This proposal sparked backlash across social media, with many Nigerians questioning the relevance of such decoration on an aging piece of infrastructure.
The criticism from Odumeje reflects broader public frustration over perceived government vanity projects that receive extensive online promotion despite being upgrades of long‑standing facilities.