The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Peter Obi, has called on President Bola Tinubu to provide details of the number of Nigerians lifted out of poverty since he assumed office.
Obi also wants the President to state how many out-of-school children have returned to classrooms and the number of functional primary healthcare centres established by his administration. He said Nigerians deserve clear evidence of how public funds have improved their lives.
The former Anambra State governor made the demands in a statement shared on his X handle on Saturday, titled, “Good Day, Mr President: Nigerians Deserve Accountability.”
Obi urged Tinubu to account for the resources available to his government, including the ₦15.8tn reportedly saved through the removal of the petrol subsidy and more than $100bn obtained through borrowing.
He also mentioned the increase in tax revenue and other government earnings, which the administration had reportedly announced exceeded its target last year.
The statement followed Tinubu’s overnight visit to Akwa Ibom State, outside Lagos and Abuja. Obi used the occasion to urge the President to visit more states and explain his administration’s achievements to Nigerians.
“I congratulate you on spending a night in one of Nigeria’s states outside Lagos and Abuja. I hope you enjoyed the warmth, hospitality, and delicious cuisine of Akwa Ibom,” Obi said.
He expressed hope that the visit would encourage Tinubu to tour the remaining 33 states, interact with residents and provide answers about how government resources had been spent.
“I sincerely hope this visit will inspire you to travel to the remaining 33 states of the federation, spend time with the people and, more importantly, explain what your administration has done with the ₦15.8 trillion saved from the removal of fuel subsidy, the over $100 billion you have borrowed, the increased revenues accruing to the government from taxing Nigerians, and the additional government revenues which your administration celebrated last year as having surpassed its target,” he said.
Obi also raised concerns about electricity supply and national security, reminding Tinubu of his earlier promise that Nigerians should not re-elect him if he failed to improve power supply.
“Nigerians deserve to know how many that were pulled out of poverty within this period, how many out-of-school children were returned to school, and how many functional primary healthcare centres you have built.
“They also deserve an explanation of how much electricity supply has improved, especially given your promise that if you do not fix power, Nigerians should not vote for you,” he said.
On security, the NDC candidate asked the President to explain the steps taken to protect the country, noting that Nigeria remained among the countries most affected by terrorism.
“Mr President, Nigerians deserve answers. They deserve to know what has been done with the resources entrusted to your government,” Obi added.
He maintained that transparency, accountability and measurable improvements in people’s living conditions should be central to the management of public resources.
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Obi contested the 2023 presidential election under the Labour Party and came third with approximately 6.1 million votes. He subsequently joined the Nigeria Democratic Congress, which adopted him as its candidate for the 2027 presidential election in May, with former Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso as his running mate.
The next presidential election is scheduled for January 16, 2027, with Obi set to challenge incumbent President Tinubu, who is seeking another term under the All Progressives Congress.
The coming election is expected to take place against the backdrop of continued public discussions about the effects of the Federal Government’s economic reforms, particularly the removal of the petrol subsidy and the resulting cost-of-living pressures.