In a fiery interview on Arise News Prime Time, Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi,launched a scathing attack on President Bola Tinubu’s administration, accusing it of reckless economic mismanagement, increasing national debt, and stifling productivity.
Obi slammed Tinubu’s decision to float the naira amid zero productivity,a move he described as disastrous, leading to crippling inflation and an economic meltdown. He also criticized the ballooning national debt, claiming that the debt burden has skyrocketed from ₦17 trillion to over ₦170 trillion in just two years, with interest payments outstripping funding for crucial sectors like health and education.
If I Were President, Nigeria Would Be Thriving By Now
The former Anambra governor boldly declared that had he been in power, Nigeria would have experienced “drastic positive change”within two years.
The President that is there today—how many years has he stayed? Two years. Look at the turn of things. It means you can change things in two years. If I were there, you would have seen considerable change in critical areas, Obi asserted.
Obi further claimed that under his leadership, borrowed money would be invested wisely, corruption tackled head-on, and governance costs drastically reduced.
Businesses Are Dying, Nigerians Are Starving
Obi blasted the crippling interest rates under Tinubu’s administration, stating that businesses cannot survive when borrowing costs exceed 40%.Today, nobody is producing anything. How can you do business when the interest rate is over 40%? The economy is in shambles, and Nigerians are suffering, he said.
The former presidential hopeful also lamented the worsening conditions in health and education, stating that 70% of Nigeria’s primary healthcare centers are non-functional.
If I were president, I would fix our PHCs and primary schools. Right now, millions of Nigerians don’t even know where their next meal will come from, Obi stated.
Tinubu Is Failing as a Leader – He Must Take Responsibility
The Labour Party chieftain called Tinubu’s leadership ineffective, stating that true leadership requires competence, vision, and direct accountability to the people.
It is not enough that your aides are running around. You, as the leader, must have the idea, the energy, and the competency to do the job. It is not something you can lease out. You should be answerable to the people, he said.
Labour Party Crisis Orchestrated by Federal Government
Obi also accused Tinubu’s administration of actively working to destroy opposition parties, including the Labour Party (LP).
The disarray in the LP is caused by the Federal Government. The Nigerian political space is deliberately designed to suppress opposition. Look at South Africa—they allow opposition to thrive. In Nigeria, we have no real democracy, Obi alleged.
He condemned the state of emergency in Rivers State, calling it an attack on democracy and a dangerous precedent.
What happened in Rivers State was unfortunate. Some people made the state ungovernable for political reasons, and now a state of emergency has been declared. This is dangerous for our democracy,he warned.
Obi on 2027 Elections: “I’m Not Desperate to Be President
While Obi confirmed his involvement in a political coalition, he downplayed speculation about his 2027 presidential ambition, insisting that his focus is on rescuing Nigeria, not merely winning elections.
I am reluctant to talk about 2027. Yes, I am part of the coalition. But whatever alignment we form must be about fixing Nigeria, not just grabbing power, he said.
Tinubu Under Fire: Will He Respond?
Obi’s fierce criticisms add to growing dissatisfaction with Tinubu’s handling of the economy. Will the President address these concerns, or will Nigerians continue to suffer under his policies?
