Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, has taken a swipe at President Bola Tinubu, sarcastically commending him for fulfilling his promise to continue the policies of ex-President Muhammadu Buhari. Obi’s remarks came during a visit to Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed on Thursday, where he expressed concerns over the current administration’s handling of the economy.
Obi criticized the worsening economic conditions under Tinubu’s leadership, highlighting the sharp rise in the cost of essential goods and services. He stated, “Tinubu promised to continue where Buhari stopped. If you look at it, Buhari left the dollar at about N400; today, it is about N1,500. Rice was about N40,000; it is now over N100,000. Fuel was about N300; it is now over N1,000. I can go on and on-everything has doubled and tripled. So, he has done exactly as he promised.”
The former Anambra State governor emphasized the need for Nigeria to move beyond ethnic and religious politics, urging a shift towards governance based on competence and capacity. He contrasted Nigeria’s economic decline with the progress made by countries like Indonesia, which has significantly transformed its economy over the past decade.
Obi pointed out that Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) has plummeted from 200 billion, while per capita income has dropped from 2,000. He stressed the importance of reviving the nation’s industries, investing in education and healthcare, and steering the country towards productive governance.
“We must focus on reviving our industries, investing in education and healthcare, and ensuring that our governance is productive and result-oriented,” Obi said. “Nigeria cannot afford to continue on this path of economic decline. We need leaders who prioritize competence and capacity over ethnic and religious considerations.”
Obi’s comments have sparked renewed discussions about Nigeria’s economic challenges and the need for effective leadership to address the country’s pressing issues. As the nation grapples with rising inflation, unemployment, and a weakening currency, his call for a shift in governance priorities resonates with many Nigerians seeking tangible solutions to the economic crisis.
