By John Audu
In a recent New Year address, former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi expressed grave concerns about Nigeria’s deteriorating political, economic, and security landscape. He criticized President Bola Tinubu for spending over 30% of his time in office—approximately 180 days—on public trips abroad, suggesting it is time for the president to focus on visiting Nigeria’s 36 states.
Obi highlighted the government’s announcement of a new national minimum wage of N70,000, calling it inadequate and ineffective, as it fails to cover the cost of basic necessities like a bag of rice or half a bag of beans. He pointed out that despite official claims of progress, Nigeria remains one of the world’s poverty capitals, with over 100 million people living in extreme poverty and an additional 150 million experiencing multi-dimensional poverty.
The former Anambra State governor urged President Tinubu to reduce the cost of governance and redirect resources toward critical areas such as security, health, education, and poverty alleviation. He emphasized the importance of a robust approach to combating corruption, advocating for thorough investigations and the recovery of misappropriated funds.
“While addressing past corrupt activities, we must ensure proper investigations and recoveries related to missing funds or their sources,” Obi stated. He called for increased transparency and accountability in public procurement and contract award processes to ensure that limited resources are utilized effectively.
Obi also advised the government to link future borrowing to regenerative investments and productive assets that would benefit the nation, rather than accumulating debt without tangible returns.
He appealed to President Tinubu to allocate at least 20% of 2025—approximately 72 days—to visit each of Nigeria’s states for two-day engagements. Such visits would provide the president with firsthand insight into the economic and security challenges facing the nation.
“Furthermore, it is time for you to visit our national hospitals,” Obi suggested. “Consider conducting your next medical examination at one of our National Hospitals or Regional Federal Medical Centres. This will allow you to assess the healthcare facilities available to Nigerians and make informed decisions about necessary upgrades.”
Obi encouraged the president to travel by road to observe the condition of highways and visit tertiary institutions to evaluate infrastructure and resources. He recalled the positive impact of past presidential visits on institutional facilities.
As Commander-in-Chief, Obi stressed the importance of visiting military formations and security agencies, particularly during field operations, to boost morale and provide support for operational efficiency. He also urged Tinubu to visit internally displaced persons (IDP) camps and assure those affected that efforts are underway to restore peace and normalcy in the country.
“Mr. President, many Nigerians are ‘refugees’ and ‘exiles’ in their own country,” Obi remarked. “It is crucial to show them that you are working hard to improve their situation.”
In closing, Obi reminded the president that he is no longer the Governor of Lagos State and should consider spending holidays in various regions of Nigeria to foster a deeper connection with the country’s diverse communities.
