Peter Obi Outlines Five Key Areas He Would Have Handled Differently as President
Lagos, Nigeria — Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has once again criticized President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, asserting that after nearly two years in office, the government has failed to deliver tangible improvements in key sectors of the economy.
Obi, who ran against Tinubu in the contentious 2023 presidential election, made these remarks during an interview on Arise Television’s Prime Time program on Tuesday, April 1, 2025. He provided a scathing assessment of the All Progressives Congress (APC) administration, highlighting areas he believes require urgent intervention.
The former Anambra State governor argued that within two years, a competent government should have demonstrated significant progress, particularly in tackling corruption, reducing governance costs, and investing borrowed funds prudently in critical sectors.
Key Areas Obi Would Have Addressed Differently
Fighting Corruption and Reducing the Cost of Governance Obi maintained that his administration would have aggressively tackled corruption, ensuring that Nigerians could visibly see a reduction in wasteful spending and extravagant government expenses.“In two years, you would have seen a considerable shift in critical areas. I would have tackled corruption head-on. I would have reduced the cost of governance, and it would be evident to Nigerians,” Obi stated.He criticized the current administration’s spending habits, questioning why substantial resources are allocated to non-essential projects while basic healthcare and infrastructure remain underfunded.
Prudent Investment of Borrowed Funds The former LP candidate condemned the misallocation of borrowed funds, particularly in sectors that do not directly impact the well-being of ordinary Nigerians. He cited the nation’s failing healthcare system as an example.“Our primary healthcare system is in a dire state, with 70% of facilities non-functional. Yet, the government spends over N35 billion on conference centers. Who are these conferences serving? Borrowed money should be invested in productive sectors that yield tangible results,” Obi argued.
Boosting Agricultural Productivity Obi emphasized that Nigeria’s vast land resources remain underutilized, citing Bangladesh as an example of a country that has successfully leveraged its agricultural potential.“Bangladesh, with a land size of just 148,000 km², produces about 60 million metric tons of rice annually. Meanwhile, Nigeria, with over six times that land size, struggles to produce even 10% of that amount. This is due to poor policies, lack of investment, and an absence of strategic leadership in the agricultural sector,” Obi noted.
Organized and Strategic Currency Devaluation While Obi acknowledged the necessity of floating the naira, he criticized the manner in which the policy was implemented under Tinubu’s administration, describing it as disorganized and counterproductive.“There is nothing wrong with devaluation, but it must be done strategically. I would have floated the naira in an organized manner, ensuring that there is a productive base to support the currency. Devaluation should be linked to increased productivity so that exports can thrive and investors are encouraged to buy from us. What we have now is a situation where we devalue without a plan to boost local production. That is a double economic disaster,” he explained.
Addressing Economic Hardship and Inflation Obi further lamented the soaring inflation rates, arguing that poor economic policies have worsened the purchasing power of Nigerians.“Today, inflation is skyrocketing, unemployment is at an all-time high, and Nigerians are struggling to survive. This is a direct result of poor economic planning and a lack of foresight in implementing financial policies,” he said.
Obi’s Ongoing Criticism of the Tinubu Administration
Obi’s remarks come amid widespread dissatisfaction with the economic direction of the Tinubu government, particularly regarding subsidy removal, naira devaluation, and rising food and fuel prices. Many Nigerians have expressed frustration over the worsening cost of living and the absence of significant relief measures.
Since the 2023 elections, Obi has remained an outspoken critic of the current administration, consistently advocating for what he describes as a “government of prudence, accountability, and productivity.”
With the 2027 elections on the horizon, Obi’s continued critique of the APC-led government signals that he may remain a formidable opposition figure in Nigeria’s political landscape.
As President Tinubu’s administration approaches its second anniversary, concerns over governance, economic policies, and national development remain hotly debated. Obi’s criticisms underscore the urgent need for policy reforms that prioritize transparency, economic stability, and social welfare. Whether his proposed strategies would have yielded better outcomes remains speculative, but his critique continues to resonate with many Nigerians disillusioned by the status quo.
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Peter Obi Outlines Five Key Areas He Would Have Handled Differently as President