How Many Nigerians Have You Lifted Out of Poverty? Peter Obi Challenges Tinubu

• Peter Obi challenges Tinubu to explain his record on poverty, education, healthcare and electricity, demanding an account of subsidy savings and borrowing.

The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has challenged President Bola Tinubu to disclose how many Nigerians his administration has lifted out of poverty and explain how public resources have improved citizens’ lives.

Obi also asked the President to state how many out-of-school children had returned to classrooms, how many functional primary healthcare centres his government had built and what progress it had made on electricity and security.

In a statement posted on his X account on Saturday, titled “Good Day, Mr President: Nigerians Deserve Accountability,” the former Anambra State governor demanded an account of subsidy savings, borrowing and increased government revenue.

He cited ₦15.8 trillion in savings from petrol subsidy removal and more than $100 billion in borrowing as figures he wanted the President to explain. Those amounts were presented as Obi’s claims.

Obi questions use of subsidy savings and loans

Obi said Nigerians deserved to understand how the financial resources available to the administration had translated into measurable improvements in their living conditions.

His demands covered the money he said had been saved from subsidy removal, increased tax receipts and additional government earnings that the administration had reportedly celebrated as exceeding its revenue target.

“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,” Obi said.

Akwa Ibom visit prompts call for wider engagement

The statement followed Tinubu’s overnight stay in Akwa Ibom State, which Obi used to renew his call for the President to spend more time with Nigerians outside Lagos and Abuja.

“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 urged Tinubu to extend such visits to other states and use them to explain his administration’s performance directly to citizens.

Poverty, education and healthcare under scrutiny

Obi argued that the government’s record should be assessed through changes in the lives of ordinary Nigerians, particularly those facing poverty and limited access to essential services.

“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.

The questions placed poverty reduction, school enrolment, primary healthcare and electricity supply at the centre of his demand for accountability.

Obi raises security concerns

The NDC candidate also questioned the administration’s handling of insecurity, asking the President to explain what his government had achieved in protecting lives and communities.

Obi said Nigeria remained among the countries most affected by terrorism and called for an explanation of how the resources entrusted to the administration had been used.

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

He maintained that transparency, accountability and measurable improvements in citizens’ welfare should guide the management of public funds.

Accountability becomes campaign issue

Obi’s statement adds to the political debate over the impact of the administration’s economic reforms, particularly petrol subsidy removal and the resulting pressure on living costs.

The former governor contested the 2023 presidential election under the Labour Party, finishing third with about 6.1 million votes.

He subsequently joined the NDC, which ratified him as its presidential candidate for the 2027 election in May, with former Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso as his running mate.

Obi is seeking to unseat Tinubu, who is pursuing a second term on the platform of the All Progressives Congress.