Former Anambra State Governor and Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has criticized President Bola Tinubu’s administration for what he described as ineffective economic policies and poor governance.
Speaking in an interview on Arise News, Obi condemned the government’s decision to float the naira without improving productivity, warning that it had worsened the nation’s economic situation. He also raised concerns about Nigeria’s rising debt, stating that debt servicing now exceeds the budget for critical sectors like health and education.
“If I were president, drastic positive changes would have occurred in two years. I would have tackled corruption, reduced the cost of governance, and ensured borrowed funds were invested in critical areas,” Obi said.
He also criticized the high-interest rate under Tinubu’s administration, which he argued was crippling businesses. “How can you run a country where the interest rate is over 40%? Companies cannot survive under such conditions,” he added.
On his political stance, Obi reaffirmed his membership in the Labour Party but accused the federal government of fueling the crisis within the party. He also emphasized the need for a functional opposition, citing the suppression of dissenting voices in Nigeria’s political space.
“There is no democracy without a functional legislature and an independent judiciary. People are being detained for what they say, and I am also harassed daily,” he said.
Obi criticized the Tinubu administration’s handling of the Rivers State crisis, arguing that the declaration of a state of emergency undermined democracy.
When asked about his plans for the 2027 presidential election, Obi remained non-committal, stating that his focus was on working with other political forces to rescue Nigeria. “I am not desperate to be president, but I am desperate to see Nigeria work,” he concluded.
