Former Anambra State Governor and Nigeria Democratic Congress presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has launched a fresh attack on President Bola Tinubu’s administration, claiming that worsening economic conditions have forced many Nigerians who once owned thriving businesses into petty trading.
Speaking during an interview with Chude Jideonwo, Obi dismissed claims that the momentum behind his 2023 presidential campaign had waned, insisting that his support base has grown as more Nigerians experience the realities of the current administration.
According to him, many Nigerians who backed Tinubu during the 2023 presidential election have become disillusioned after witnessing the country’s economic decline.
“Those who jumped into, in quotes, some experiential thing, ‘Oh, this man did this, this man did this’, I was going to create the future. I’ve seen that the whole thing was a mess,” Obi said.
He argued that the country’s current situation leaves little room for anyone to claim that things are improving.
“Nobody, nobody can tell you things are moving well. What are they going to do now?” he asked.
Highlighting the impact of the economic downturn, Obi claimed that several business owners who were financially stable before Tinubu assumed office have now lost their livelihoods.
“Those who had business when he came into power have collapsed. They are now the people who are selling kuli-kuli?” Obi said.
The former Labour Party presidential candidate maintained that Nigerians are now judging the government based on their personal experiences rather than political rhetoric.
He also insisted that the movement behind his presidential ambition has become even stronger because many who once doubted him have changed their minds.
“My fellowship has increased because those who jumped into, in quotes, some experiential thing… I was going to create the future,” he said.
Obi further criticised the Federal Government’s “Renewed Hope” agenda, arguing that the administration has failed to improve the lives of ordinary Nigerians.
“You’re talking of the Renewed Hope. It had become hopelessness when President Tinubu came into power,” Obi said.
He claimed that poverty, hunger and insecurity have worsened since the current administration took office.
“Eighty-seven million Nigerians were living in poverty. Today, it’s one-fourth,” he said.
Speaking on food insecurity, Obi alleged that Nigeria’s ranking on the global hunger index has deteriorated.
“We were number five below where we are today in hunger list. We’ve increased,” he said.
He added that the country’s decline is evident to every Nigerian.
“Everything has gotten worse. Like I said before, we’re no longer talking of ghosts walking around. You can see where we’ve gotten,” he said.
Questioning the government’s flagship slogan, Obi concluded:
“Which hope are they going to renew again? You can’t renew failure, and that’s it,” Obi said.
On his relationship with former Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso, Obi dismissed concerns about aligning with the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) leader, describing him as a politician committed to uplifting the poor.
“Kwankwaso is one politician that I can say it anywhere who cares for the interest of the poor.
“He believes in pulling people out of poverty. He believes in training a child of nobody to become something, and that for me aligns with my position,” Obi said.
Obi also reiterated that education and human capital development remain the foundation of national development.
“Truly, the biggest driver of development is education, human capital. It is not physical infrastructure, it’s human infrastructure,” he said.
Citing the success of several Asian economies, he added:
“That’s what the Asian Tigers did. That’s what the Chinese did. That’s what Malaysia, that’s what everybody did,” he said.
He stressed that tackling the out-of-school children crisis, improving healthcare and building a productive economy would remain among his top priorities if elected president.
