Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, has called on President Bola Tinubu to provide a full account of the resources at his administration’s disposal, including the N15.8tn reportedly saved from the removal of the petrol subsidy and more than $100bn borrowed since the government took office.
Obi made the demand in a statement posted on his X handle on Saturday, titled “Good Day, Mr President: Nigerians Deserve Accountability.” The statement came a day after Tinubu, speaking at a campaign rally in Akwa Ibom State, mocked the former Anambra State governor over his handling of the erosion crisis in the state during his tenure.
A Demand for Measurable Results
In the statement, Obi argued that the funds available to the federal government should translate into visible and measurable improvements in the lives of ordinary Nigerians. He asked the President to disclose how many citizens had been lifted out of poverty since the administration assumed office, how many out-of-school children had returned to the classroom, and how many functional primary healthcare centres had been established.
He further demanded figures showing improvements in electricity supply, along with a clear explanation of what the government had done with the increased tax revenues accruing to it and the additional earnings his administration celebrated last year as having surpassed its target.
Obi said he hoped the President’s visit to Akwa Ibom would inspire him to travel to the remaining 33 states of the federation, spend time with the people, and explain what his government had done with the N15.8tn saved from the removal of fuel subsidy, the over $100bn borrowed, and the rising revenues from taxing Nigerians.
Power Sector Promise Revisited
Turning to the power sector, Obi recalled Tinubu’s earlier promise that Nigerians should not vote for him if he failed to fix electricity supply. He said citizens deserved an explanation of how much supply had improved, particularly in light of that commitment.
“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,” Obi said.
“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 added.
Security and Accountability
On security, the NDC candidate asked the President to explain what his government had done to secure the country, arguing that Nigeria remained among the nations facing severe terrorism threats.
“Mr President, Nigerians deserve answers. They deserve to know what has been done with the resources entrusted to your government,” Obi said.
The exchange has renewed attention on the debate over transparency in the use of public funds, particularly the savings and borrowings that have shaped the government’s fiscal outlook. Obi’s challenge places the spotlight on whether those resources have produced tangible gains in poverty reduction, education, healthcare, electricity and security — the areas he says Nigerians are entitled to see measured and explained.
