Peter Obi, former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, has accused President Bola Tinubu’s administration of hypocrisy, saying it has failed to improve the lives of Nigerians while focusing instead on political gamesmanship.
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Thursday, June 12, to mark Nigeria’s Democracy Day, Obi said the political developments over the last two years indicate that those in power are more concerned with securing electoral advantage than delivering good governance.
He began by honouring the memory of the late MKO Abiola, describing him and other democracy activists as people “who paid the ultimate sacrifice for democracy.” However, he said the state of the nation today is alarming and far from democratic ideals.
“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 said.
“The state of the nation is depressing as the economy and security are at an all-time low, and even key indicators for measuring national progress like health care, education and production.”
Citing statistics, Obi said: “In 2023, about 38.9% of Nigerians lived below the poverty line, but it has now increased to 54%. Less than 10% of primary health care centres across the country are functioning. I have travelled to several states in the last six months and I have had to make interventions in maternity wards where giving birth is a 50/50 chance of survival for both mother and child.”
He warned that food insecurity and hunger are at record highs, with severe consequences on public well-being. “Hunger crisis and food insecurity are at an all-time high, with many unable to afford basic food items, leading many to resort to professional begging,” Obi said. “Due to this, the World Health Organisation released a report saying over 20 million Nigerians have mental health issues.”
Obi also raised concern over Nigeria’s rising debt profile, accusing the Tinubu-led government of reckless borrowing without corresponding improvements in public welfare.
“The current administration has borrowed so much money that Nigeria’s debt is now N188 trillion,” he said. “Yet such monies have not been used to better the lot of the people as corruption is now at an all-time high, with the National Assembly blatantly padding the 2025 budget.”
He criticised the state of the power sector, lamenting higher costs for limited electricity supply.
“Nigerians now pay more tariffs for more darkness. This is against the president’s promise during his campaign, where he said if he didn’t give Nigerians power in four years, they should not vote for him for a second term.”
Obi called on President Tinubu to “uphold the rule of law and ensure transparency to return Nigeria to a democracy,” and urged the president to connect more directly with Nigerians by travelling across the country instead of staying abroad.
“Stop governance by remote control,” he said. “If he spends the same amount of time going round Nigeria, he would have seen the suffering.”
He emphasised the importance of restoring security across rural areas, especially for food production. “He should tackle insecurity to ensure farmers can go back to their farms, as agriculture is the first key to unlocking the economy,” he said.
Obi concluded with a message of encouragement to Nigerians: “Do not give up on the nation at this critical time,” while urging the government to “help manufacturers reduce the cost of production to ensure production thrives.”
