By Muhammad Mamman
Former Anambra State Governor and Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has criticised what he described as wasteful government spending after reports that $9m was paid to lobbyists abroad, urging authorities to redirect scarce resources towards human development.
In a statement shared on Tuesday, Obi questioned the rationale behind committing millions of dollars to lobbying efforts at a time when many Nigerians are grappling with poverty, unemployment and declining social services.
He argued that such funds would be better deployed in critical sectors such as education, healthcare and social protection, which he said remain underfunded despite their central role in national development.
“At a time when millions of Nigerians lack access to quality education and basic healthcare, spending $9m on lobbyists raises serious questions about priorities,” Obi said.
The former governor stressed that sustainable national progress depends on deliberate investment in people rather than image management or political influence abroad. He added that human development, not publicity campaigns, should be at the heart of public policy.
Obi’s remarks have sparked fresh debate over government expenditure and fiscal discipline, particularly as Nigeria continues to face economic pressures, including high inflation and a weakening currency.
The federal government has yet to respond directly to Obi’s comments. However, the issue has added to ongoing public scrutiny of how public funds are allocated amid growing calls for transparency and accountability in governance.
