Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has accused President Bola Tinubu’s administration of piling up debts without delivering meaningful improvements in the living conditions of Nigerians.
Obi made the remarks on Saturday during a town hall meeting in Owerri, Imo State, where he continued his nationwide consultations with citizens ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Before the meeting, the former Anambra governor visited a market in Owerri, engaging traders, buyers and other residents on the economic realities confronting households and businesses. He said the conversations offered a glimpse into the hardship Nigerians were facing, particularly under the current economic policies.
Taking a swipe at Tinubu, Obi questioned the President’s absence from Imo State, claiming that he had not spent a night in the state since assuming office more than three years ago, despite spending over 260 days outside the country.
He also faulted the administration’s borrowing record, arguing that the mounting national debt had not produced corresponding improvements in the welfare of citizens. Obi painted a troubling picture of the country’s situation, citing widespread hunger, multidimensional poverty, insecurity and the growing number of children out of school.
He said Nigeria needed a different development approach that would prioritise the welfare of citizens rather than allow economic growth and government spending to remain disconnected from everyday realities.
The NDC candidate pledged that he and his running mate, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, would focus on national security, healthcare, education, national unity and poverty reduction if elected in 2027. He said their proposed administration would pursue massive investments in critical sectors and work towards lifting millions of Nigerians out of poverty.
On the forthcoming elections, Obi urged Nigerians to turn out and exercise their voting rights, stressing that protecting the votes cast would be as important as participating in the election. He advised supporters to remain at their polling units and monitor the process until the final results were announced.
Obi expressed appreciation to NDC members, party candidates, organisers and supporters in Imo State for their participation and support. He said building a new Nigeria required collective effort, renewing his campaign message: “A New Nigeria is POssible, and Nigeria will be OK!”