On Nigeria’s Democracy Day, presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, launched a stinging criticism against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, accusing it of deepening corruption, ignoring rule of law, and setting back democratic progress.
In a strongly-worded statement, Obi said the Tinubu-led government, after two years in power, had not only failed to improve governance but had also borrowed “more money than the administrations of Umaru Yar’Adua, Goodluck Jonathan, and Muhammadu Buhari combined.”
Speaking on the state of the nation, Obi declared:
“Today, Nigeria’s overall public debt is estimated at close to N188 trillion. Nigerians were informed that these borrowed funds would be allocated to critical sectors of development. Still, there has been no significant improvement in education, healthcare, or poverty alleviation — critical sectors that are vitally important for national development.”
Obi’s remarks, released in a Democracy Day statement, come amid growing public frustration over inflation, insecurity, and rising debt. He said despite the removal of fuel subsidy — which the administration claimed saved trillions — these funds have not been transparently used.
“Brazen corruption is at its worst under this administration. Nigeria has now become a crime scene. Our national budget is routinely inflated and padded without consequences,” Obi alleged.
Citing a recent report by civic tech organization BudgIT, Obi said:
“One of the most glaring manifestations of this is the extensive padding of the 2025 national budget. BudgIT revealed that about N7 trillion was questionably inserted by the National Assembly. These figures suggest a pattern of inflated costs and misappropriation of funds.”
Obi criticized the Tinubu administration’s lack of transparency and disregard for the rule of law, warning that such trends could undermine Nigeria’s democracy.
“We cannot call ourselves a democratic nation when impunity and lawlessness prevail at the highest levels. The government operates without checks and balances, and this is dangerous for our future as a people,” he added.
His statement aligns with the sentiments of other opposition figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who also decried the state of Nigeria’s democracy during the 26th Democracy Day celebrations.
Both leaders argued that the Tinubu government has demonstrated little commitment to democratic principles or accountability.
Despite repeated claims from the presidency that reforms are underway and that the economy is stabilizing, critics argue that Nigerians have yet to feel the positive effects.
Peter Obi’s comments further stoke the debate around President Tinubu’s performance as Nigeria enters its third year under his leadership. For many citizens struggling with unemployment, insecurity, and inflation, the opposition’s voice appears to echo their growing discontent.
As political tension rises, all eyes remain on the presidency for a response to these heavy allegations — and on whether tangible reforms will finally begin to manifest.
