The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Peter Obi, has challenged President Bola Tinubu to account for the ₦15.8tn reportedly saved from petrol subsidy removal and more than $100bn borrowed by his administration.
Obi also demanded explanations on how the increased government revenue generated through taxation and other sources had translated into improved living conditions for Nigerians.
The former Anambra State governor made the demands in an open statement published on his X account on Saturday, titled, “Good Day, Mr President: Nigerians Deserve Accountability.”
He urged Tinubu to use his engagements with Nigerians, particularly during political visits, to explain what his administration had achieved with the financial resources available to the government.
“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 N15.8tn saved from the removal of fuel subsidy, the over $100bn you have borrowed, the increased revenues accruing to the government from taxing Nigerians,” Obi said.
He further questioned the impact of the government’s financial resources on poverty reduction, education, healthcare and electricity supply.
According to him, Nigerians deserve to know how many people have been lifted out of poverty since the administration assumed office.
He also asked the President to provide figures on the number of out-of-school children returned to classrooms and functional primary healthcare centres established during the period.
“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,” he stated.
On electricity, Obi recalled Tinubu’s previous promise that Nigerians should not vote for him if he failed to improve power supply.
The NDC candidate also questioned the administration’s performance on national security, arguing that the government needed to demonstrate how its policies and spending had improved the safety of citizens.
His comments followed Tinubu’s remarks at a campaign rally in Akwa Ibom State on Friday, where the President criticised Obi over the erosion crisis in Anambra State during his tenure as governor.
Obi urged the President to focus on addressing the country’s challenges and provide Nigerians with measurable evidence of the achievements of his administration.
