Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, has called on President Bola Tinubu to lead by example by reducing the cost of governance.
Obi made this statement on Thursday during a press conference in Abuja, where he discussed the current state of the nation.
Obi emphasized that Tinubu should utilize local hospitals and visit educational institutions across the country to assess the progress in Nigeria’s healthcare and education sectors.
He criticized the ongoing high levels of corruption and the escalating cost of governance, which he argued has contributed to a significant rise in public debt under the current administration.
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He further asserted that borrowing should be linked to projects that promote national development rather than funding consumption.
The former Anambra State governor also accused government officials of mismanaging public funds, pointing to excessive foreign trips as an example of fiscal irresponsibility in 2024.
He suggested that the President should occasionally travel by road to witness firsthand the deteriorating state of Nigeria’s public roads.
Obi recalled his experience as Governor of Anambra when he personally took President Olusegun Obasanjo on a road trip from Awka to Onitsha, which eventually led to the improvement of the road.
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Obi condemned the widespread poverty in the country, which he said has resulted in stampedes for palliative items, noting that the new minimum wage has not alleviated the hunger crisis.
He also expressed concern over the country’s security situation, highlighting the senseless deaths caused by banditry, terrorism, and kidnapping.
The LP leader urged President Tinubu to recognize that he is no longer the governor of Lagos State and suggested that he spend time during festive seasons in other parts of the country to better understand the suffering of the people.
Obi also called for a thorough debate on the proposed tax reform bills, arguing that taxation should be based on production.
He stressed that the government must prioritize making Nigeria a more productive nation before imposing taxes on its people, particularly those living in poverty.
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