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Peter Obi, the Labour Party's presidential candidate for the 2023 election and former governor of Anambra State, has been quite vocal in his criticism of President Bola Tinubu's administration. He claims that the economic policies being implemented are only making Nigeria's financial struggles worse. In a recent chat on Arise News Prime Time, Obi shared his frustrations about the government's economic strategies, particularly pointing out the decision to float the naira without any real boost in productivity.
Obi noted that this approach has led to a significant rise in Nigeria's debt and the costs associated with servicing that debt, which now exceed budget allocations for essential sectors like health and education. He firmly believes that if he were in charge, the country would have seen meaningful improvements within just two years, with a strong focus on enhancing productivity to build a more sustainable and resilient economy.
"If I were the President, we would have witnessed significant changes in key areas within two years. I would have invested in productivity to foster a more sustainable economy. You can really make a difference in two years," Obi remarked.
He also took aim at the increasing interest rates under President Tinubu, arguing that they have made it tougher for businesses to succeed. Obi contended that the government's failure to manage debt properly has created an unsustainable economic environment.
"We're dealing with a country that's drowning in debt. The current administration inherited a debt of around ₦17 trillion, and in just two years, it's skyrocketed to over ₦170 trillion. The cost of servicing this debt now surpasses the budget for vital areas like health and education," he pointed out.
When discussing Nigeria's healthcare and education systems, Obi emphasized that a staggering 70 percent of the country's primary health care centers are not operational. He confidently stated, "If I were President, I would prioritize fixing our primary health care centers and schools."
Obi has called for more accountability from President Tinubu, stressing that true leadership demands personal involvement and responsibility. He pointed out that it’s not enough for the President's aides to be busy with their tasks; the leader himself must be directly accountable to the people.
"It’s not sufficient for your aides to be running around. As the leader, you need to have the vision, the drive, and the skills to get the job done. You can’t just delegate this responsibility. You are the leader; you must answer to the people," Obi emphasized.
He wrapped up his comments by voicing concern over what he termed a "delegated responsibility" in the current government, urging leaders to take charge and directly tackle the nation’s challenges.
Obi's statements highlight a growing frustration among Nigerians with the current administration's economic strategies. With living costs on the rise, many citizens are demanding immediate reforms to avert further economic downturn.
Source: Naija News
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