Peter Obi has challenged President Bola Tinubu to lead by example by reducing governance costs, traveling by road, and using local hospitals. Obi criticized corruption, rising public debt, and insecurity, calling for leadership with empathy.
Former Anambra State Governor and 2023 Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, has thrown down the gauntlet to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, urging him to lead by example by reducing the cost of governance and experiencing the realities of ordinary Nigerians. Obi made these remarks during a press conference in Abuja on Thursday, where he addressed the state of the nation.
Peter Obi challenged Tinubu to use local hospitals and travel by road to witness firsthand the country’s crumbling infrastructure. He cited his tenure as Anambra Governor, where he once took then-President Olusegun Obasanjo on a road trip from Awka to Onitsha, which spurred action on road rehabilitation.
“Leadership is about empathy and setting an example,” Obi stated. “The President should see the deplorable state of public roads and feel the inadequate healthcare system like the citizens he governs.”
The Labour Party chieftain expressed dismay over the high level of corruption and the rising cost of governance, which he blamed for the nation’s soaring public debt.
“Our borrowings are not tied to tangible projects, and funds are being mismanaged through endless foreign trips by government officials,” Obi said.
He emphasized the need for borrowing to focus on developmental projects rather than consumption, stressing that current economic policies have done little to improve the living standards of Nigerians.
Obi decried the pervasive poverty in the country, citing palliative stampedes and the inadequacy of the new minimum wage in addressing the hunger crisis.
“The hunger in this land is palpable. Stampedes for food palliatives reveal the depth of poverty among our people,” he lamented.
On security, Obi described the loss of lives due to banditry, terrorism, and kidnapping as unacceptable, urging the government to prioritize the safety of Nigerians.
Obi urged Tinubu to move beyond a Lagos-centric approach to governance, advising him to spend festive seasons in different parts of the country to understand the struggles of Nigerians.
“Stop seeing yourself as the Governor of Lagos State. Nigeria is diverse, and its challenges are widespread. Experience life in other regions to feel the pulse of the nation,” Obi added.
