Tinubu must lead by example to cut governance costs – Peter Obi

The 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi has urged President Bola Tinubu to demonstrate leadership by addressing the high cost of governance in Nigeria.

Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Thursday, Obi emphasized the need for the President to lead by example by patronizing local hospitals and visiting educational institutions to understand the state of the nation’s healthcare and education sectors.

The former Anambra State governor decried the high level of corruption and the escalating cost of governance, which he claimed have contributed to the country’s growing public debt. Obi insisted that borrowings must be tied to developmental projects rather than consumption.

He criticized government officials for frequent foreign trips in 2024, alleging that public funds have been mismanaged under the current administration.

Obi suggested that Tinubu should occasionally travel by road to experience firsthand the poor condition of Nigeria’s infrastructure. Recalling his tenure as governor, Obi shared how he once took then-President Olusegun Obasanjo on a road trip from Awka to Onitsha, prompting the award of a contract to repair the road.

The Labour Party leader expressed concern over widespread poverty, highlighting incidents of stampedes during the distribution of palliatives and noting that the new minimum wage has not alleviated hunger in the country.

He also lamented the worsening security situation, citing needless deaths caused by banditry, terrorism, and kidnapping.

On tax reform, Obi argued that taxation should be tied to production. He stressed that with many Nigerians living in poverty, the government must focus on making the country productive before imposing additional taxes.

Obi urged Tinubu to view himself as President of the entire country, not just Lagos State, and suggested spending festive seasons in various regions to better understand the struggles faced by Nigerians.

“Leadership demands empathy and action,” Obi said, calling for decisive measures to address the nation’s pressing challenges.