ABUJA: Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has challenged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to explain how his administration has utilised the reported ₦15.8 trillion in savings from the removal of the petrol subsidy, alongside more than $100 billion in loans and other borrowings.
Obi’s challenge has reignited debate over government spending, public borrowing, economic management and accountability, particularly as Nigerians continue to demand clearer explanations of how major fiscal decisions have translated into improvements in their daily lives.
The former Anambra State governor is demanding transparency over the funds generated from the removal of the petrol subsidy, insisting that Nigerians deserve to know how the savings have been deployed and what measurable benefits they have received in return.
His intervention also raises questions about the relationship between the Federal Government’s revenue position, its borrowing commitments and the economic difficulties confronting households and businesses.
In a statement published on his X account on Saturday, November 7, titled “Good Day, Mr President: Nigerians Deserve Accountability,” Obi said the President should use his visits to states across the country as opportunities to explain how public resources have been managed.
He congratulated Tinubu on spending a night in Akwa Ibom State, outside Lagos and Abuja, and expressed hope that the visit would encourage him to travel to the remaining 33 states of the federation.
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.
The NDC presidential candidate argued that Nigerians should be able to identify measurable improvements in their living conditions arising from the resources available to the Federal Government.
He specifically demanded explanations on the number of Nigerians lifted out of poverty, the number of out-of-school children returned to classrooms and the number of functional primary healthcare centres constructed by the administration.
He also questioned the extent of improvements in electricity supply, particularly in view of Tinubu’s previous commitment to addressing Nigeria’s persistent power challenges.
On national security, Obi called for an explanation of what the administration had achieved in protecting lives and property, noting that insecurity and terrorism remained major concerns across the country.
According to him, government accountability should go beyond announcing revenue figures, borrowing arrangements and economic targets to demonstrating how public resources have positively affected ordinary citizens.
Obi’s demand comes barely 24 hours after President Tinubu criticised him during an All Progressives Congress (APC) rally in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
Speaking at the rally on Friday, November 6, Tinubu questioned Obi’s record in tackling erosion challenges during his tenure as governor of Anambra State.
The President contrasted the former governor’s handling of erosion with what he described as his own efforts to confront the Atlantic Ocean during his time as Lagos State governor.
Tinubu declared:
“He ran away from erosion in Anambra State. He could not confront erosion. I, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, confronted the Atlantic Ocean. I tamed it for you.”
The President also questioned Obi’s leadership credentials and his ability to manage political challenges, drawing reactions from supporters of both political figures.
The comments added another dimension to the growing political exchanges between the two leaders ahead of the 2027 general election.
He maintained that Nigerians deserve clear answers about the resources entrusted to the government, stressing that the success of public administration should be measured by tangible improvements in citizens’ lives.
He further stated that the Nigeria he hopes to build would be founded on accountability, transparency and the measurable impact of public resources.
“The New Nigeria we want to build will be based on accountability, transparency, and the physical, measurable impact of our public resources on the lives of citizens,” Obi stated.
The statement has brought renewed attention to the economic consequences of petrol subsidy removal, the Federal Government’s borrowing obligations and the need for transparent reporting of public expenditure.
While Obi’s ₦15.8 trillion subsidy savings and over $100 billion borrowing figures were presented as part of his challenge to the President, a comprehensive assessment of the claims would require examining official fiscal records, the relevant borrowing periods, government revenues and actual expenditure.
The central question raised by the NDC candidate is how Nigerians can measure the benefits of the government’s increased financial resources through improvements in education, healthcare, electricity, security and poverty reduction.
As political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 elections, the exchange between Tinubu and Obi is likely to keep governance, economic accountability and public service delivery at the centre of national political discussions.
