As Nigeria marked Democracy Day on June 12, former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi delivered a scathing critique of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, accusing it of prioritizing political survival over the well-being of ordinary Nigerians.
Addressing journalists at a press conference in Abuja on Thursday, Obi described the current administration as hypocritical, warning that two years into Tinubu's tenure, the government's actions reflect early signs of electioneering, not governance. “The ongoing political activities in the country,” Obi said, “are already gearing up for the next general elections, while the masses continue to suffer.”
Paying tribute to the late MKO Abiola, who is widely regarded as the symbol of Nigeria’s democratic struggle, Obi lamented what he described as the death of true democracy in Nigeria. “Even though the current president was part of the struggle to restore democracy, what we have today is a betrayal of that sacrifice,” Obi said.
He painted a bleak picture of the country under Tinubu, highlighting economic collapse, deepening poverty, and rising insecurity. “The state of the nation is depressing,” Obi said. “All key indicators—healthcare, education, production—are deteriorating. In 2023, 38.9% of Nigerians lived below the poverty line. Today, that number has jumped to 54%.”
Obi also decried the dire state of Nigeria’s primary healthcare system, noting that fewer than 10% of facilities are functional. “In the last six months, I have travelled across several states,” he said. “I have seen maternity wards where giving birth is a 50/50 chance of survival for both mother and child. This is unacceptable in 2025.”
On food insecurity, the former Anambra governor said Nigerians have been pushed into “professional begging” just to survive. “We now have a full-blown hunger crisis. People cannot afford basic food items. The World Health Organisation recently reported that over 20 million Nigerians are battling mental health issues—a reflection of a nation in trauma.”
Obi further criticised the Tinubu administration’s borrowing spree, warning that Nigeria’s debt has ballooned to ₦188 trillion, yet there is nothing tangible to show for it. “Instead of providing solutions, this administration has borrowed recklessly. Meanwhile, corruption is at an all-time high, and the 2025 budget has been brazenly padded by the National Assembly.”
He also accused the government of failing in its power sector promises, referencing Tinubu’s campaign vow to fix electricity or not seek re-election. “Today, Nigerians are paying higher electricity tariffs for more darkness, a betrayal of the president’s own campaign promise.”
Calling for urgent redirection, Obi insisted that Nigeria needs leadership focused on people, not politics. “We cannot pretend to be celebrating democracy while our people sink deeper into poverty, despair and hopelessness.”