How many Nigerians have been lifted out of poverty? Obi asks Tinubu

The Nigeria Democratic Congress presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has asked President Bola Tinubu to disclose how many Nigerians have been lifted out of poverty since his administration came into office.

Obi also challenged the President to explain how many out-of-school children had returned to school and how many functional primary healthcare centres had been built, saying Nigerians deserved to know the impact of public resources on their lives.

In a statement posted on his X handle on Saturday, titled “Good Day, Mr President: Nigerians Deserve Accountability,” Obi said Tinubu should account for the resources available to his government, including the ₦15.8tn he said had been saved from the removal of the petrol subsidy and more than $100bn in loans.

He also listed increased tax revenues and government earnings that the administration reportedly said had surpassed its target last year among the resources requiring explanation.

Obi’s comments followed Tinubu’s overnight stay in Akwa Ibom State, outside Lagos and Abuja, which the former Anambra State governor used to renew his call for the President to visit other parts of the country and explain his administration’s record.

“I congratulate you on spending a night in one of Nigeria’s states outside Lagos and Abuja. I hope you enjoyed the warmth, hospitality, and delicious cuisine of Akwa Ibom,” Obi said.

He added that he hoped the visit would inspire Tinubu to travel to the remaining 33 states and spend time with Nigerians.

“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 ₦15.8 trillion saved from the removal of fuel subsidy, the over $100 billion you have borrowed, the increased revenues accruing to the government from taxing Nigerians, and the additional government revenues which your administration celebrated last year as having surpassed its target,” Obi said.

The former governor also questioned the administration’s performance on electricity and security, recalling Tinubu’s promise that Nigerians should not vote for him if he failed to fix power supply.

“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.

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“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 said.

Obi further asked the President to explain how his government had secured the country, which he said still ranked among the most terrorised countries in the world.

“Mr President, Nigerians deserve answers. They deserve to know what has been done with the resources entrusted to your government,” he said.

The presidential candidate said accountability, transparency and measurable improvements in citizens’ lives should guide the management of public resources.

Obi, a former governor of Anambra State, contested the 2023 presidential election on the platform of the Labour Party, finishing third with about 6.1 million votes.

He later joined the Nigeria Democratic Congress, which ratified him as its presidential candidate for the 2027 election in May. Former Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso is his running mate.

The statement comes about two months before Nigeria’s next presidential election, scheduled for January 16, 2027.

Obi will challenge incumbent President Bola Tinubu, who is seeking re-election on the platform of the All Progressives Congress.

The election campaign is taking place amid public debate over the impact of the government’s economic reforms, particularly the removal of the petrol subsidy and its effect on living costs.