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I Would Have Handled Economy Better Than Tinubu – Obi - Politics - Nairaland

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I Would Have Handled Economy Better Than Tinubu – Obi by dododawa1(op): 5:32pm On Apr 02, 2025
Candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 presidential election, Mr Peter Obi, on Tuesday, accused the President Bola Tinubu administration of being ineffective in implementing economic policies.

Obi, a former governor of Anambra State, revealed this in an interview on Arise News Prime Time on Tuesday and also criticised the decision of President Tinubu to float the naira in the absence of productivity, while also increasing the country’s debt profile and the cost of debt servicing, which, he said, was above the budgetary allocation for critical sectors like health and education.

Obi asserted that if he were the President, the country would have experienced drastic positive changes in two years as he would have injected money into productivity that would lead to a more productive and sustainable economy.

He stated, “The President that is there today, how many years has he stayed? Two years, and look at the turn of things. It means you can change things in two years. That means if I were there, you would have seen considerable change in critical areas. I would tackle corruption head-on, and I would reduce the cost of governance. You would have seen borrowed money invested in critical areas.”

Furthermore, he criticised the high interest rate under Tinubu, asserting that the situation had made it difficult for companies operating in the country to thrive.

“Also, we have a country that is in huge debt. The current administration met a debt of about N17tn; in two years, it has moved to over N170tn.

“The cost of debt servicing is above the budget for critical areas like health, and education. 70 per cent of our primary health care centres are not functioning. I would fix our PHCs and primary schools if I were president,” Obi added.

Meanwhile, Obi, who confirmed that he is still a member of the LP, stated that he is working with Atiku and others for the benefit of Nigeria.

He stated, “Elections are won and lost by the votes of the people. All these things people are talking about are because we are not in a democracy. We are talking about working together for the sake of the country. That is why I am not desperate to be President, but I am desperate to see Nigeria work.

“It was all these alliances that brought Nigeria to where we are today. Because people were blinded. Instead of seeing what they will do to make the country work and make it productive, they are focused on wrestling power. What are we going to use the power to do?

“I ran in 2023 because I wanted to do something different. By now, you would have seen something different in education. I would have even visited schools. In the health sector, we have over 70% of primary healthcare not functional. I want Nigeria to know it is about their country. So many Nigerians today don’t know where the next meal will come from. So, the people have to know that this man can do it.

“You talk about the devaluation of the naira; there is nothing wrong with it. I would have allowed the naira to follow, but there would be productivity.

Because when you don’t have productivity and you devalue your money, it’s a double whammy. So, I would have injected money into productivity.

“Today, nobody is producing anything. How can you do business when the interest rate is over 40%? So, we need to do the right thing, and we can do it.”

Obi criticized President Tinubu’s administration for the economic difficulties, stating that the President should be accountable to the Nigerian people.

He stated, “It is not enough that your aides are running around. You, as the leader, have to have the idea, the energy, and the competency to do the job. It is not something that you can lease out. You are the leader; you should be answerable to the people. We have too much-delegated responsibility; that shouldn’t be.”

On the crisis rocking his party, he said, “The disarray in the LP is caused by the Federal Government. Yes, I am in the Labour Party. If anything changes, I will let you know.

“If the government is democratic, all these things will work. You have to say you are democratic, practice it, and believe it, whether it works for you or not. What is happening in Nigeria can be turned around with a competent leader.”

Obi accused the present administration of intimidating the opposition, claiming that the Nigerian political space was designed not to accommodate opposition.

He particularly chided the Tinubu government over its handling of the Rivers State crisis that culminated in the declaration of the emergency rule.

“There is no democracy without a functional legislature and an independent judiciary. There is no freedom of speech as people are in detention for what they say. I am also harassed every day.

What happened in Rivers State was unfortunate as some people made the state ungovernable for political reasons and interests. The declaration of a state of emergency impacts negatively on the little inkling of democracy that we have.

“The Nigerian political space is designed not to have opposition. People say look at South Africa, they have a presidential system like ours. But the difference is they allow their opposition to thrive. There is a proportional representation of the opposition in the legislature and this makes the opposition thrive.

“In those countries, you cannot cross from one party to another without consequences. You lose your seat if you do so. That is why we want a change in the Constitution so as to build a viable system. If I were president, I would make sure the country is democratic and the opposition thrives. Parties should function the way they should. There is a need to fix this democracy. Musa Yar’ Adua started it until his demise,” Obi said.

On vying again for the presidency in 2027, Obi said his concern in discussing an alliance with other political forces is to save Nigeria from the brink.

He stressed that he was not desperate to wrest power to become president but to join forces to realise a Nigeria that works.

I am reluctant to talk about 2027. Yes, I am part of the coalition. But whatever alignment must discuss the future of the country. We must discuss doing it to invest in education not just to wrest power. We are talking about working together to save Nigeria. I am not desperate to be President but to see Nigeria work,” Obi said.

Re: I Would Have Handled Economy Better Than Tinubu – Obi by Openair: 5:33pm On Apr 02, 2025
Fact
Re: I Would Have Handled Economy Better Than Tinubu – Obi by LordBiden(m): 5:35pm On Apr 02, 2025
But how come tinubu copied and used your manifestos but see where it landed us?

Obi promised to remove subsidy on day one,and tinubu copied same.

And also unifying the exchange rate.
Re: I Would Have Handled Economy Better Than Tinubu – Obi by Thiefobi1: 5:40pm On Apr 02, 2025
Mu-mu man, same way you handle Anambra better than obiano and soludo. By putting the state in poverty.

Revenue u could not generate for the state but busying saving local govt funds in fidelity bank.

Obi should stop all these nonsensical and childish attitude. It easier said than done.


Tinubu have left all of you behind. grin
Re: I Would Have Handled Economy Better Than Tinubu – Obi by Decidetolive: 5:45pm On Apr 02, 2025
Raw truth, every sane person knows what
Re: I Would Have Handled Economy Better Than Tinubu – Obi by jazzman7711:
Peter Obi is so dishonest.

He knows that the overvalued Naira was destroying the economy, yet here he is LYING through his teeth.

I asked AI (ChatGPT) to explain the reason Nigeria floated the Naira:


Why did Nigeria float the Naira?

ChatGPT said:

Nigeria floated the Naira primarily to address its foreign exchange crisis, combat inflation, and attract foreign investment. Before the float, the Naira was managed under a fixed or controlled exchange rate system, leading to a significant gap between the official and black market rates.

This disparity discouraged investment and created opportunities for currency speculation.

By floating the Naira, the government aimed to:

Unify Exchange Rates – Reduce the multiple exchange rate system that led to arbitrage and economic distortions.

Increase Foreign Investment – A market-driven rate makes Nigeria more attractive to investors by allowing them to repatriate profits without restrictions.

Address Dollar Shortages – Pegged exchange rates made it difficult for businesses to access foreign currency. Floating the Naira allowed supply and demand to determine its value, making forex more accessible.

Reduce Pressure on Foreign Reserves – The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) had been spending billions of dollars to defend the currency. A floating exchange rate removes the need for constant intervention.

However, this policy led to a sharp depreciation of the Naira, increasing the cost of imports and contributing to inflation. While it aims to stabilize in the long run, its short-term impact has been challenging for many Nigerians.


……………..:



Now if Peter Obi was an honest man, he would have simply said “We had to float the Naira to save our economy. The short term impact will be tough, but our country will be better off in the long run”.

But no.

The criminal opportunist used this brave govt measure to trash the govt and elevate himself like the typical narcissist he is.

He says Tinubu should have made Nigeria “productive” first, before floating the Naira.

How can you be ‘productive’ without access to foreign exchange?

Is it not dollars you need to purchase your equipment?

How can you be ‘productive’ when companies engage in dollar arbitrage?

Why would they bother to be ‘productive’ when they could just buy and sell dollars, as they were doing?

Why were they not ‘productive’ before Tinubu came to power, despite Buhari pumping billions of dollars to shore up the Naira?

Obi is just a terrible person.

If he was a patriot he would educate the people, not deceive and incite them against the govt because of his ambition.
Re: I Would Have Handled Economy Better Than Tinubu – Obi by Decidetolive: 5:47pm On Apr 02, 2025
Thiefobi1:
Mu-mu man, same way you handle Anambra better than obiano and soludo. By putting the state in poverty.

Revenue u could not generate for the state but busying saving local govt funds in fidelity bank.

Obi should stop all these nonsensical and childish attitude. It easier said than done.


Tinubu have left all of you behind. grin
Shut up zombiee, you know nothing about Anambra State. Anambra comes first in Education today in Nigeria is as a result of Peter Obi's performance as governor, also Anambra has cargo international airport today is because of Peter Obi.
Re: I Would Have Handled Economy Better Than Tinubu – Obi by agulion: 5:52pm On Apr 02, 2025
This is very correct,
Re: I Would Have Handled Economy Better Than Tinubu – Obi by Thiefobi1: 5:53pm On Apr 02, 2025
Decidetolive:
Shut up zombiee, you know nothing about Anambra State. Anambra comes first in Education today in Nigeria is as a result of Peter Obi's performance as governor, also Anambra has cargo international airport today is because of Peter Obi.
Informed him to stop wasting his time.

A shallow minded individual like his him should stay away from power.
Re: I Would Have Handled Economy Better Than Tinubu – Obi by Heffalump(m): 5:56pm On Apr 02, 2025
Thiefobi1:
Mu-mu man, same way you handle Anambra better than obiano and soludo. By putting the state in poverty.
Revenue u could not generate for the state but busying saving local govt funds in fidelity bank.
Obi should stop all these nonsensical and childish attitude. It easier said than done.
Tinubu have left all of you behind. grin
You people are gutless and wicked I swear. Obi in his time in office was very frugal with allocations. He never stole public money as we brazenly see today. This is the reason why this gentleman is guiltless to any law, both locally and internationally. To add to your pain, Obi left the office with huge capital reserve for the incoming administration to have a smooth start. Obiano actually squandered everything and many more cash allocations in his time. This is the reason why he ran out of the country immediately he handed over power.

Obi is an enigma that the wicked can never comprehend. He would have surely handled the economy far better than spineless Tinubu. Your demi god, Tinubu is not doing anything different from what we all know has been happening in the past. Government of cabals and "I chop you chop". The draconian policies are quite alarming. Things will continue to get worse under this APC until we decide to take the country back by force.
Re: I Would Have Handled Economy Better Than Tinubu – Obi by Tinubuadvocate: 6:00pm On Apr 02, 2025
Well I just have to be patient and read the trash ...Meanwhile he talk about productivity if truly he is going to focus on productivity things would have much better than this. Oil supposed to be an alternative source of income to this country but government take it as first priority source of income to the country why other resources is been wasted.

Buhari administration for example used 160 billion 1 billion dollars to digged out oil well in lake basin during his administration without a tangible thing to show for it till today. Why they deliberately ignored Agriculture that play more vital role in society.


Peter obi continue talking about education he forget that we have many graduate roaming around the street yet he want to build class room he should know that not education Nigeria will eat .

For our naira to gain value we need to be productive and discourage the use of foreign currencies especially dollar.

Peter obi should also know that not only him will be in government you can have good intention while your coworkers don't have that.
Re: I Would Have Handled Economy Better Than Tinubu – Obi by Thiefobi1: 6:01pm On Apr 02, 2025
Heffalump:
You people are gutless I swear. Obi in his time in office was very frugal with allocations. He never stole public as we see today. This is the reason why this gentleman is guiltless to any law, both locally and internationally. To add to your pain, Obi left the office with huge capital reserve for the incoming administration to have a smooth start. Obiano actually squandered everything and many more cash allocations in his time. This is the reason why he ran out of the country immediately he handed over power.

Obi is an enigma that the wicked can never comprehend. He would have surely handled the economy far better than Tinubu. Your demi god, Tinubu is not doing anything different from what we all know has been happening in the past. Government of cabals and "I chop you chop". The draconian policies are quite alarming. Things will continue to get worse under this APC until we decide to take the country back by force.
Stop lying. Obi has the characteristic of deceptive entity.

Re: I Would Have Handled Economy Better Than Tinubu – Obi by LordBiden(m): 6:03pm On Apr 02, 2025
Heffalump:
You people are gutless and wicked I swear. Obi in his time in office was very frugal with allocations. He never stole public money as we brazenly see today. This is the reason why this gentleman is guiltless to any law, both locally and internationally. To add to your pain, Obi left the office with huge capital reserve for the incoming administration to have a smooth start. Obiano actually squandered everything and many more cash allocations in his time. This is the reason why he ran out of the country immediately he handed over power.

Obi is an enigma that the wicked can never comprehend. He would have surely handled the economy far better than spineless Tinubu. Your demi god, Tinubu is not doing anything different from what we all know has been happening in the past. Government of cabals and "I chop you chop". The draconian policies are quite alarming. Things will continue to get worse under this APC until we decide to take the country back by force.
I am not a tinubu fan tho but to say obi never stole public funds is a huge lie.

Dude has offshore accounts and his name was among those listed pandora papers during his tenure as governor.

Although obi is a thief with a good heart to help Nigerians.
Re: I Would Have Handled Economy Better Than Tinubu – Obi by Heffalump(m):
LordBiden:
I am not a tinubu fan tho but to say obi never stole public funds is a huge lie.
Dude has offshore accounts and his name was among in pandora papers.
Obi was a Billionaire before he became governor unlike Tinubu that fed very fat on Lagos treasury and now, Nigeria as a whole.

Just like having Dangote becoming the president of Nigeria now and you start asking questions about his foreign accounts. Come out with evidence that Obi stole public money while in office and we will believe you if true. EFCC has never challenged him in court, or he running away like many guilty thieving ex- governors do. Having foreign account is never a crime!
Re: I Would Have Handled Economy Better Than Tinubu – Obi by givedemwotowoto: 6:10pm On Apr 02, 2025
Undisputed Fact, unless you're one of these usual suspects:

1. The ones who said for 8 years that Buhari was the best, only to backstab him and condemn him as the worst immediately he left office.

2. The ones who accuse you of everything they are. If they're trying to land grab and see you as an obstacle, they're call you a landgrabber. If they're obsessed about you, they accuse you of being obsessed about them.

3. The ones who spend all day combing through the web to find something to criticize Peter Obi or Igbos, and then claim either of those are not relevant. In otherwords, they spend all day pursuing irrelevancies?

4. The ones who will promise you loyalty/friendship but once you turn around, they stab you right in the back.

5. The ones who betray and backstab at any slight opportunity, the worst of Nigerians.
Re: I Would Have Handled Economy Better Than Tinubu – Obi by Heffalump(m): 6:11pm On Apr 02, 2025
Thiefobi1:
Stop lying. Obi has the characteristic of deceptive entity.
Mudslinging abi. We knew the fight between Obiano and Obi that time. What happened when Obiano left power? He ran away before daybreak. Do you know what that means?
Re: I Would Have Handled Economy Better Than Tinubu – Obi by anonymous1759(m): 6:15pm On Apr 02, 2025
angry
dododawa1:
Candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 presidential election, Mr Peter Obi, on Tuesday, accused the President Bola Tinubu administration of being ineffective in implementing economic policies.

Obi, a former governor of Anambra State, revealed this in an interview on Arise News Prime Time on Tuesday and also criticised the decision of President Tinubu to float the naira in the absence of productivity, while also increasing the country’s debt profile and the cost of debt servicing, which, he said, was above the budgetary allocation for critical sectors like health and education.

Obi asserted that if he were the President, the country would have experienced drastic positive changes in two years as he would have injected money into productivity that would lead to a more productive and sustainable economy.

He stated, “The President that is there today, how many years has he stayed? Two years, and look at the turn of things. It means you can change things in two years. That means if I were there, you would have seen considerable change in critical areas. I would tackle corruption head-on, and I would reduce the cost of governance. You would have seen borrowed money invested in critical areas.”

Furthermore, he criticised the high interest rate under Tinubu, asserting that the situation had made it difficult for companies operating in the country to thrive.

“Also, we have a country that is in huge debt. The current administration met a debt of about N17tn; in two years, it has moved to over N170tn.

“The cost of debt servicing is above the budget for critical areas like health, and education. 70 per cent of our primary health care centres are not functioning. I would fix our PHCs and primary schools if I were president,” Obi added.

Meanwhile, Obi, who confirmed that he is still a member of the LP, stated that he is working with Atiku and others for the benefit of Nigeria.

He stated, “Elections are won and lost by the votes of the people. All these things people are talking about are because we are not in a democracy. We are talking about working together for the sake of the country. That is why I am not desperate to be President, but I am desperate to see Nigeria work.

“It was all these alliances that brought Nigeria to where we are today. Because people were blinded. Instead of seeing what they will do to make the country work and make it productive, they are focused on wrestling power. What are we going to use the power to do?

“I ran in 2023 because I wanted to do something different. By now, you would have seen something different in education. I would have even visited schools. In the health sector, we have over 70% of primary healthcare not functional. I want Nigeria to know it is about their country. So many Nigerians today don’t know where the next meal will come from. So, the people have to know that this man can do it.

“You talk about the devaluation of the naira; there is nothing wrong with it. I would have allowed the naira to follow, but there would be productivity.

Because when you don’t have productivity and you devalue your money, it’s a double whammy. So, I would have injected money into productivity.

“Today, nobody is producing anything. How can you do business when the interest rate is over 40%? So, we need to do the right thing, and we can do it.”

Obi criticized President Tinubu’s administration for the economic difficulties, stating that the President should be accountable to the Nigerian people.

He stated, “It is not enough that your aides are running around. You, as the leader, have to have the idea, the energy, and the competency to do the job. It is not something that you can lease out. You are the leader; you should be answerable to the people. We have too much-delegated responsibility; that shouldn’t be.”

On the crisis rocking his party, he said, “The disarray in the LP is caused by the Federal Government. Yes, I am in the Labour Party. If anything changes, I will let you know.

“If the government is democratic, all these things will work. You have to say you are democratic, practice it, and believe it, whether it works for you or not. What is happening in Nigeria can be turned around with a competent leader.”

Obi accused the present administration of intimidating the opposition, claiming that the Nigerian political space was designed not to accommodate opposition.

He particularly chided the Tinubu government over its handling of the Rivers State crisis that culminated in the declaration of the emergency rule.

“There is no democracy without a functional legislature and an independent judiciary. There is no freedom of speech as people are in detention for what they say. I am also harassed every day.

What happened in Rivers State was unfortunate as some people made the state ungovernable for political reasons and interests. The declaration of a state of emergency impacts negatively on the little inkling of democracy that we have.

“The Nigerian political space is designed not to have opposition. People say look at South Africa, they have a presidential system like ours. But the difference is they allow their opposition to thrive. There is a proportional representation of the opposition in the legislature and this makes the opposition thrive.

“In those countries, you cannot cross from one party to another without consequences. You lose your seat if you do so. That is why we want a change in the Constitution so as to build a viable system. If I were president, I would make sure the country is democratic and the opposition thrives. Parties should function the way they should. There is a need to fix this democracy. Musa Yar’ Adua started it until his demise,” Obi said.

On vying again for the presidency in 2027, Obi said his concern in discussing an alliance with other political forces is to save Nigeria from the brink.

He stressed that he was not desperate to wrest power to become president but to join forces to realise a Nigeria that works.

I am reluctant to talk about 2027. Yes, I am part of the coalition. But whatever alignment must discuss the future of the country. We must discuss doing it to invest in education not just to wrest power. We are talking about working together to save Nigeria. I am not desperate to be President but to see Nigeria work,” Obi said.
Enough of long sermon Him Tu Lie just show us your economic legacies in the state you Govern simple .
Re: I Would Have Handled Economy Better Than Tinubu – Obi by 9jatriot(m): 6:19pm On Apr 02, 2025
With which skill would he have handled the economy if I may ask?

Is it the same skill he used to run Anambra or the one that say his Next supermarket in the UK go into closure?
Re: I Would Have Handled Economy Better Than Tinubu – Obi by Thiefobi1: 6:19pm On Apr 02, 2025
Heffalump:
Mudslinging abi. We knew the fight between Obiano and Obi that time. What happened when Obiano left power? He ran away before daybreak. Do you know what that means?
Obi completed his governorship tenure under Jonathan presidency and joined PDP immediately.

Meaning his sins were forgiven.

Jonathan failed to prosecute most corrupt official then, because of his 2015 re-election.
Re: I Would Have Handled Economy Better Than Tinubu – Obi by DomPerignon: 6:24pm On Apr 02, 2025
Like the way you pack Anambra allocation put into your failed ventures and your Pandora offshore accounts.
Re: I Would Have Handled Economy Better Than Tinubu – Obi by Adebishow: 6:27pm On Apr 02, 2025
If wishes were horses
Re: I Would Have Handled Economy Better Than Tinubu – Obi by jazzman7711: 6:29pm On Apr 02, 2025
LordBiden:
I am not a tinubu fan tho but to say obi never stole public funds is a huge lie.

Dude has offshore accounts and his name was among those listed pandora papers during his tenure as governor.

Although obi is a thief with a good heart to help Nigerians.
And as president he will be “A BIGGER THIEF WITH A GOOD HEART TO HELP NIGERIANS’’.

(Spit)
Re: I Would Have Handled Economy Better Than Tinubu – Obi by Decidetolive: 6:31pm On Apr 02, 2025
Thiefobi1:
Informed him to stop wasting his time.

A shallow minded individual like his him should stay away from power.
An illiterate like you should try and get something doing rather than defending a failure online
Re: I Would Have Handled Economy Better Than Tinubu – Obi by LordBiden(m): 6:32pm On Apr 02, 2025
Heffalump:
Obi was a Billionaire before he became governor.

Just like having Dangote becoming the president of Nigeria now and you start asking questions about his foreign accounts. Come out with evidence that Obi stole public money while in office and we will believe you if true. EFCC has never challenged him in court, or he running away like many guilty thieving ex- governors do. Having foreign account is never a crime!
Lol..

Obi is a crook who made billions from his connections to sani Abacha,he made this billions,abacha put him in charge of Tin can ports.
Re: I Would Have Handled Economy Better Than Tinubu – Obi by jazzman7711: 6:35pm On Apr 02, 2025
LordBiden:
Lol..

Obi is a crook who made billions from his connections to sani Abacha,he made this billions,abacha put him in charge of Tin can island.
The way they try to paint this Obi guy as an angel is what gets to me.

This mothafcker was a normal corrupt PDP chieftain who enriched himself with public funds for over a decade before he suddenly rebranded himself as a ‘messiah’ by ditching the PDP and joining some mushroom party where he became the only big fish, and we are all supposed to just follow him, and elect him president!

Hmmm…..I don’t think so.. 🤔
Re: I Would Have Handled Economy Better Than Tinubu – Obi by gabbytabby: 6:41pm On Apr 02, 2025
Him for build brewery and smoke joint full 9ja and all of Una go dey highre.


dododawa1:
Candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 presidential election, Mr Peter Obi, on Tuesday, accused the President Bola Tinubu administration of being ineffective in implementing economic policies.

Obi, a former governor of Anambra State, revealed this in an interview on Arise News Prime Time on Tuesday and also criticised the decision of President Tinubu to float the naira in the absence of productivity, while also increasing the country’s debt profile and the cost of debt servicing, which, he said, was above the budgetary allocation for critical sectors like health and education.

Obi asserted that if he were the President, the country would have experienced drastic positive changes in two years as he would have injected money into productivity that would lead to a more productive and sustainable economy.

He stated, “The President that is there today, how many years has he stayed? Two years, and look at the turn of things. It means you can change things in two years. That means if I were there, you would have seen considerable change in critical areas. I would tackle corruption head-on, and I would reduce the cost of governance. You would have seen borrowed money invested in critical areas.”

Furthermore, he criticised the high interest rate under Tinubu, asserting that the situation had made it difficult for companies operating in the country to thrive.

“Also, we have a country that is in huge debt. The current administration met a debt of about N17tn; in two years, it has moved to over N170tn.

“The cost of debt servicing is above the budget for critical areas like health, and education. 70 per cent of our primary health care centres are not functioning. I would fix our PHCs and primary schools if I were president,” Obi added.

Meanwhile, Obi, who confirmed that he is still a member of the LP, stated that he is working with Atiku and others for the benefit of Nigeria.

He stated, “Elections are won and lost by the votes of the people. All these things people are talking about are because we are not in a democracy. We are talking about working together for the sake of the country. That is why I am not desperate to be President, but I am desperate to see Nigeria work.

“It was all these alliances that brought Nigeria to where we are today. Because people were blinded. Instead of seeing what they will do to make the country work and make it productive, they are focused on wrestling power. What are we going to use the power to do?

“I ran in 2023 because I wanted to do something different. By now, you would have seen something different in education. I would have even visited schools. In the health sector, we have over 70% of primary healthcare not functional. I want Nigeria to know it is about their country. So many Nigerians today don’t know where the next meal will come from. So, the people have to know that this man can do it.

“You talk about the devaluation of the naira; there is nothing wrong with it. I would have allowed the naira to follow, but there would be productivity.

Because when you don’t have productivity and you devalue your money, it’s a double whammy. So, I would have injected money into productivity.

“Today, nobody is producing anything. How can you do business when the interest rate is over 40%? So, we need to do the right thing, and we can do it.”

Obi criticized President Tinubu’s administration for the economic difficulties, stating that the President should be accountable to the Nigerian people.

He stated, “It is not enough that your aides are running around. You, as the leader, have to have the idea, the energy, and the competency to do the job. It is not something that you can lease out. You are the leader; you should be answerable to the people. We have too much-delegated responsibility; that shouldn’t be.”

On the crisis rocking his party, he said, “The disarray in the LP is caused by the Federal Government. Yes, I am in the Labour Party. If anything changes, I will let you know.

“If the government is democratic, all these things will work. You have to say you are democratic, practice it, and believe it, whether it works for you or not. What is happening in Nigeria can be turned around with a competent leader.”

Obi accused the present administration of intimidating the opposition, claiming that the Nigerian political space was designed not to accommodate opposition.

He particularly chided the Tinubu government over its handling of the Rivers State crisis that culminated in the declaration of the emergency rule.

“There is no democracy without a functional legislature and an independent judiciary. There is no freedom of speech as people are in detention for what they say. I am also harassed every day.

What happened in Rivers State was unfortunate as some people made the state ungovernable for political reasons and interests. The declaration of a state of emergency impacts negatively on the little inkling of democracy that we have.

“The Nigerian political space is designed not to have opposition. People say look at South Africa, they have a presidential system like ours. But the difference is they allow their opposition to thrive. There is a proportional representation of the opposition in the legislature and this makes the opposition thrive.

“In those countries, you cannot cross from one party to another without consequences. You lose your seat if you do so. That is why we want a change in the Constitution so as to build a viable system. If I were president, I would make sure the country is democratic and the opposition thrives. Parties should function the way they should. There is a need to fix this democracy. Musa Yar’ Adua started it until his demise,” Obi said.

On vying again for the presidency in 2027, Obi said his concern in discussing an alliance with other political forces is to save Nigeria from the brink.

He stressed that he was not desperate to wrest power to become president but to join forces to realise a Nigeria that works.

I am reluctant to talk about 2027. Yes, I am part of the coalition. But whatever alignment must discuss the future of the country. We must discuss doing it to invest in education not just to wrest power. We are talking about working together to save Nigeria. I am not desperate to be President but to see Nigeria work,” Obi said.
Re: I Would Have Handled Economy Better Than Tinubu – Obi by JagabanBorgu: 7:06pm On Apr 02, 2025
Coming from Lienus who couldn't handle Anambra but ran away to live in Lagos.
Watching Obi is more fun than watching Nigerian skit makers.
Re: I Would Have Handled Economy Better Than Tinubu – Obi by Flangelo12: 7:07pm On Apr 02, 2025
grin

Even Bash Ali would have beaten Muhammad Ali with mouth.
Re: I Would Have Handled Economy Better Than Tinubu – Obi by cybernaut(m): 7:09pm On Apr 02, 2025
Betrayal talk too much
Re: I Would Have Handled Economy Better Than Tinubu – Obi by Flangelo12:
Someone that can't manage ordinary Elupee?
huh
Re: I Would Have Handled Economy Better Than Tinubu – Obi by yarimo(m): 7:15pm On Apr 02, 2025
Openair:
Fact
undecided

Re: I Would Have Handled Economy Better Than Tinubu – Obi by flokii: 7:24pm On Apr 02, 2025
The way you handled tiny Anambra State economy and turned it to poverty capital of South, increasing poverty index from 25 percent to over 55 percent.. Olodo.
1 2 Reply

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