By Eshioromeh Sebastian
Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has responded to President Bola Tinubu’s remarks at an APC rally in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, where the President accused him of “running away from erosion” in Anambra State while claiming he “confronted the Atlantic Ocean” in Lagos.
In his reply, Obi urged the President to extend his current two-state visit beyond Akwa Ibom and Rivers, and to visit the remaining states of the federation to explain to Nigerians how the N15.8 trillion saved from the removal of fuel subsidy has been utilised.
Tinubu, speaking at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo on Friday, said: “He ran away from erosion. In Anambra State, he could not confront erosion. I, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, confronted the Atlantic Ocean. I claim it for you”.
The President also questioned Obi’s leadership credentials and political journey, asking: “Is that a leadership trait? Is that a leadership character?”.
Obi, in his response, noted that the President was currently on a two-day visit to the South-South, during which he commissioned projects in Uyo on Friday and was scheduled to attend a campaign rally in Port Harcourt on Saturday.
He acknowledged the Uyo projects, including the new International Terminal Building at Victor Attah International Airport, the International Airport Hospital, and the Ibom Aviation Village.
However, Obi reminded the President that beyond the two states on the current itinerary, he had spent over 260 days outside Nigeria since coming into office and had yet to visit the remaining 33 states.
He expressed hope that the Uyo and Port Harcourt visits would inspire the President to extend his tour to the rest of the country, spend time with the people, and explain what his administration has done with the N15.8 trillion saved from fuel subsidy removal, the over $100 billion borrowed, increased revenues from taxing Nigerians, and additional government revenues celebrated last year as having surpassed targets.
Nigerians, Obi said, deserve to know how many people were pulled out of poverty within the period, how many out-of-school children were returned to school, and how many functional primary healthcare centres have been built.
“They also deserve to know how much electricity supply has improved, especially given your promise that if you do not fix power, Nigerians should not vote for you. They deserve an explanation of how you have secured the country, which still ranks among the most terrorised countries in the world,” he added.
The former Anambra governor stressed that Nigerians deserve answers and deserve to know what has been done with the resources entrusted to the government.
“The New Nigeria we want to build will be based on accountability, transparency, and the physical, measurable impact of our public resources on the lives of citizens,” Obi stated.
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