Former Labour Party presidential candidate and vocal critic, Peter Obi, has sharply rebuked President Bola Tinubu’s government for what he described as “hypocrisy and political grandstanding” that neglects the needs of ordinary Nigerians.
Addressing reporters at a Democracy Day press conference in Abuja on Thursday, Obi paid tribute to the enduring memory of late MKO Abiola and the sacrifices made for Nigeria’s democracy. But he warned that the country’s current drift under the Tinubu administration is cause for grave concern.
“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 warned that the flurry of political manoeuvres unfolding over the past two years signals early moves for the forthcoming election rather than genuine governance. He described the economy and national security as suffering at unprecedented levels, with critical sectors, healthcare, education, and industrial production, trending downward.
Drawing on startling statistics, Obi noted that extreme poverty has surged from 38.9% in 2023 to 54% today. He revealed that fewer than one in ten primary healthcare centers across Nigeria are currently functional. Recounting his recent visits to maternity wards in several states, he described heartbreaking scenes where mothers and babies face a “50/50 chance of survival.”
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Obi emphasised the scale of the hunger crisis, observing that many Nigerians are now reduced to “professional begging.” He referenced a World Health Organization finding from the past year, which estimated over 20 million Nigerians are grappling with mental health issues linked to these extreme pressures.
He also voiced concerns about the ballooning national debt now estimated at ₦188 trillion, warning that borrowed funds have failed to alleviate suffering in a climate of rampant corruption and a padded 2025 budget by the national assembly.
Obi criticised the government for failing to deliver on a key campaign promise, reliable electricity, highlighting that Nigerians now “pay more tariffs for more darkness” under Tinubu’s watch.
Calling for meaningful reform, he urged the president to respect democratic principles, uphold the rule of law, and step away from what he termed “governance by remote control.” Obi pointed out that Tinubu has spent roughly 150 days abroad in his two years in office, advising him to instead tour Nigerian communities to understand citizens’ daily struggles.
Obi specifically called on the president to tackle insecurity, critical for enabling farmers to return to their farmland, and urged policies that will aid manufacturers and reduce production costs. Despite the challenges, he appealed to Nigerians not to abandon hope, insisting that “this is a critical time for national renewal.”
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