Peter Obi Urges President Tinubu to Engage with Local Issues Amidst Nationwide Challenges

Former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi, has called on President Bola Tinubu to personally engage with Nigeria’s pressing issues by visiting local hospitals and educational institutions. Obi made the call during a press conference on Thursday morning in Abuja, where he discussed the state of the nation.

Obi emphasized the need for the President to experience firsthand the conditions of the country’s healthcare and educational sectors, pointing out the lack of development in these areas. He criticized the high level of corruption in the country and raised concerns over the growing cost of governance, which has contributed to a steep rise in public debt under the current administration.

The Labour Party chieftain stressed that borrowings by the government must be tied to tangible development projects, rather than the current pattern of borrowing for consumption. He also accused government officials of mismanaging public funds, particularly through frequent foreign trips.

In his remarks, Obi urged President Tinubu to take the time to travel by road across the country to witness the deplorable state of public roads. He recalled a time when, as governor, he took former President Olusegun Obasanjo on a road trip from Awka to Onitsha, which ultimately led to the awarding of a contract to repair the road.

Obi also condemned the widespread poverty in the country, which has led to chaotic scenes as citizens scramble for palliatives. He argued that the new minimum wage has not alleviated the hunger crisis Nigerians are facing.

Commenting on the nation’s security situation, Obi described it as unfortunate, highlighting the ongoing threat of banditry, terrorism, and kidnapping, which continue to claim lives needlessly. He urged President Tinubu to understand that as the country’s leader, he must consider the pain of Nigerians beyond Lagos and spend time in other parts of the country, particularly during the festive seasons, to fully understand the people’s struggles.

Obi also weighed in on the proposed tax reforms, calling for a thorough debate. He suggested that taxes should be tied to production and warned that, with so many Nigerians living in poverty, the government should first focus on making Nigeria a more productive nation before implementing taxes that could burden the populace further.