Peter Obi, former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, has accused President Bola Tinubu’s administration of hypocrisy and prioritizing political maneuvering over improving the lives of Nigerians.
He made these comments during a press conference in Abuja on Thursday, marking Nigeria’s Democracy Day.
Obi asserted that the ongoing political activities in the country over the past two years are indicators of the next general election.
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After paying homage to the late MKO Abiola, who he said made the ultimate sacrifice for democracy, Obi expressed deep concern over the current state of the economy.
“It is deeply troubling that under the current administration, Nigeria cannot be said to be in a democracy, even though the current president was part of the struggle to bring back democracy,” Obi stated.
He described the state of the nation as “depressing,” with the economy and security at an all-time low, and key indicators for national progress like healthcare, education, and production also declining.
Obi highlighted alarming statistics: “In 2023, about 38.9% of Nigerians lived below the poverty line, but it has now increased to 54%. Less than 10% of primary health care centres across the country are functioning. I have travelled to several states in the last six months and I have had to make interventions in maternity wards where giving birth is a 50/50 chance of survival for both mother and child.”
He argued that hunger and food insecurity are at an unprecedented high, leading many to resort to “professional begging” due to an inability to afford basic food items.
Obi further noted that the World Health Organization reported over 20 million Nigerians with mental health issues as a result.
He criticized the administration for borrowing extensively, pushing Nigeria’s debt to ₦188 trillion, without using the funds to better the lives of its citizens.
“Yet such monies have not been used to better the lot of the people as corruption is now at an all-time high, with the national assembly blatantly padding the 2025 budget,” Obi claimed.
He also pointed out that “Nigerians now pay more tariffs for more darkness,” which he contrasted with the President’s campaign promise that if he didn’t deliver power in four years, he shouldn’t be voted for a second term.
Obi urged the President to uphold the rule of law and ensure transparency to restore Nigeria to a true democracy.
He also advised the President to “stop governance by remote control” and travel across the country to witness citizens’ hardships firsthand, given that he has spent approximately 150 days outside the country in two years.
“If he spends the same amount of time going round Nigeria, he would have seen the suffering,” Obi remarked.
Finally, he called on the President to address insecurity to enable farmers to return to their farms, stressing that agriculture is the primary key to economic recovery.3 He also urged the President to help manufacturers reduce production costs to foster thriving production, while encouraging Nigerians not to lose hope in the nation during this critical period.4
I’m ready