Peter Obi, the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, has criticized President Bola Tinubu’s administration for failing to fulfill its promises to Nigerians nearly two years into his term. During an appearance on Arise Television’s Prime Time program on April 1, 2025, Obi asserted that there has been no significant positive impact from Tinubu’s government. He expressed his belief that if he were president, he would have ensured noticeable improvements in key sectors affecting the lives of citizens.
Peter Obi, the Labour Party leader, outlined the changes he would have implemented as president, emphasizing that in two years, he would have made visible progress in combating corruption and reducing the cost of governance. He argued that significant improvements could be made in just two years, noting that the current administration has not achieved such progress.
Obi highlighted that under his leadership, borrowed funds would be properly invested, particularly in healthcare, where he claims 70% of facilities are currently non-functional. He criticized the spending of over N35 billion on a conference center, questioning its necessity and emphasizing the need for strategic investment in vital sectors.
Using Bangladesh as a model, Obi stated that he would leverage Nigeria’s land to transform it into a major rice-producing nation.
Peter Obi noted that Bangladesh, which has a land area of 148,000 km², produces around 60 million metric tons of rice, while Nigeria, with over six times that land area, struggles to achieve even 10% of that output.
He also commented on President Tinubu’s decision to devalue the naira, agreeing with the concept but criticizing the implementation. Obi stated that if he were president, he would have floated the naira in a more organized manner to promote productivity. He explained that devaluing the currency should support productivity and facilitate exports; however, doing so without a focus on productivity would be counterproductive.