Presidency: Peter Obi Lacks Depth in Economy, Governance
The Presidency has sharply rebuked Peter Obi, the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, over his recent criticisms of how President Bola Tinubu’s administration is handling funds from the removal of the petrol subsidy.
Obi, during an appearance on Arise News, questioned the transparency and accountability of the government in managing the trillions reportedly saved from eliminating fuel subsidies.
While he supported the decision to end the subsidy—highlighting that it was part of his own campaign manifesto—he criticized the Tinubu administration’s execution as disorganized and poorly thought-out.
“There’s nothing wrong with removing the subsidy. The problem is in how it was done—rushed, without a clear plan,” Obi said.
“We were promised that savings would be channeled into critical infrastructure. If billions have been saved, Nigerians deserve to know where that money has gone.”
In a swift response, Daniel Bwala, Special Adviser to the President on Policy and Communication, accused Obi of lacking a substantive grasp of economic and governance matters.
Taking to his X (formerly Twitter) account, Bwala dismissed Obi’s comments as vague and politically motivated.
“Is anyone watching Peter Obi on Arise TV?” Bwala wrote. “He agreed with the policy of subsidy removal and forex unification, but claimed he would have done it in a more ‘organized’ way.
When pressed to explain what that means, he offered nothing concrete. It’s all semantics.”
Bwala went further to question Obi’s competence: “He shows a shallow understanding of governance and economics.
Even with a sympathetic interviewer from his own political base, he couldn’t articulate a realistic alternative. These are the kinds of politicians who just want power with no clear plan for governance.”
The exchange underscores the intensifying political rivalry and scrutiny surrounding the Tinubu administration’s economic reforms, especially as Nigerians continue to grapple with inflation, rising living costs, and growing demands for accountability.
Presidency: Peter Obi Lacks Depth in Economy, Governance