Obi to Tinubu: Account for N15.8tn subsidy savings, $100bn loans

File: NDC presidential candidate, Peter Obi

The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Peter Obi, has challenged President Bola Tinubu to account for the N5.8tn reportedly saved from petrol subsidy removal and over $100bn borrowed by his administration, demanding evidence of improvements in Nigerians’ living conditions.

Obi asked the President to disclose how many Nigerians had been lifted out of poverty, how many out-of-school children had returned to classrooms and how many functional primary healthcare centres had been established since the administration assumed office.

He also demanded figures showing improvements in electricity supply and explanations of what the government had done with increased tax revenues and other additional earnings.

The former Anambra State governor made the demands in a statement posted on his X handle on Saturday, titled, “Good Day, Mr President: Nigerians Deserve Accountability.”

His demand followed Tinubu’s remarks at a campaign rally in Akwa Ibom State on Friday, where the President mocked the former Anambra State governor for allegedly “running away from the erosion crisis” in the state during his tenure.

Obi encourage the President to visit other parts of the country and engage directly with citizens on his administration’s performance.

The former governor said, “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, and the additional government revenues which your administration celebrated last year as having surpassed its target.”

He argued that the resources available to the government should translate into measurable improvements in the living conditions of Nigerians.

Questioning the administration’s performance in the power sector, Obi recalled Tinubu’s earlier promise that Nigerians should not vote for him if he failed to fix electricity 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 Tinubu to explain what his government had done to secure the country, arguing that Nigeria remained among the countries facing severe terrorism threats.

“Mr President, Nigerians deserve answers. They deserve to know what has been done with the resources entrusted to your government,” he added.