The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has challenged President Bola Tinubu to provide Nigerians with a detailed account of how his administration has utilised the funds saved from petrol subsidy removal and more than $100 billion in borrowings.
Obi said Nigerians deserved to know how the enormous financial resources available to the Federal Government had translated into improved living conditions, particularly amid rising government revenue from taxation and other sources.
The former Anambra State governor made the demand in a statement published on his official X account on Saturday, titled “Good Day, Mr President: Nigerians Deserve Accountability.”
His statement followed criticism by Tinubu at a campaign rally in Akwa Ibom State a day earlier, where the President reportedly raised concerns about the erosion crisis in Anambra State during Obi’s tenure as governor.
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Responding to the President’s remarks, Obi urged Tinubu to extend his visits beyond Akwa Ibom and engage directly with Nigerians across the remaining 33 states of the federation, explaining what his administration had achieved with public funds.
In particular, Obi demanded explanations regarding the ₦15.8 trillion reportedly saved through the removal of petrol subsidy, over $100 billion borrowed by the government, and additional revenue generated through increased taxation.
He also questioned the utilisation of government revenue after the administration reportedly celebrated exceeding its revenue target last year.
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“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,” Obi stated.
He argued that the financial resources available to the government should be reflected in measurable improvements in the lives of ordinary Nigerians.
Obi consequently challenged the President to provide specific figures showing how many Nigerians had been lifted out of poverty, how many children had returned to school and how many functional primary healthcare centres had been established under the current administration.
The NDC presidential candidate also raised questions about electricity supply, recalling Tinubu’s earlier promise that Nigerians should not vote for him if he failed to address the country’s persistent power challenges.
On national security, Obi questioned the administration’s efforts to protect citizens, noting that terrorism and other security threats continued to pose serious challenges across the country.
He maintained that Nigerians deserved transparency and measurable results from the resources entrusted to the Federal Government.
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“Mr President, Nigerians deserve answers. They deserve to know what has been done with the resources entrusted to your government,” he added.
The development adds another dimension to the ongoing political exchanges between the President and the opposition, with public spending, government borrowing, taxation, insecurity, electricity and the rising cost of living remaining key issues in Nigeria’s national discourse.
Obi’s demands have also renewed attention on the need for the Federal Government to communicate how revenue generated from major economic policy changes is being allocated and the tangible benefits Nigerians can expect from such spending.
