…Accuses him of manipulating economic statistics
Former Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has sharply criticised President Bola Tinubu over Nigeria’s worsening hunger crisis and alleged manipulation of economic data, accusing the administration of failing to deliver on its promises to Nigerians.
In a post shared on social media, Obi recalled a moment from the 2023 presidential campaign when Tinubu, then the APC candidate, mocked him during a rally in Delta State, saying, “Na statistics we go chop? All I want is to put food on the table of Nigerians”.
Obi noted that nearly two years into Tinubu’s four-year tenure, Nigeria is now ranked among the hungriest nations in the world, with millions unable to afford basic meals. He condemned the government’s recent release of what he described as “wrong statistics” on unemployment, inflation, and GDP growth, alleging they are intended to mislead the public and downplay the deteriorating economic conditions.
“President Tinubu is now overfeeding Nigerians with wrong Statistics from wrong unemployment figures, wrong inflation figures, and now GDP rebasing,” Obi said. “All to put a positive spin on our deteriorating economic and household conditions.”
Obi emphasised that effective governance is not about gambling or propaganda, but about sincerity of purpose, competence, and compassion, qualities he claims are lacking in the current administration.
“Governance is not rocket science. It requires sincerity of purpose, character, competence, capacity and compassion”, he added, concluding with his signature message: “A new Nigeria is Possible”.
The comment comes amid growing public frustration over rising food prices, unemployment, and insecurity. Government figures have projected modest economic improvements, but critics, including Obi, argue that ordinary Nigerians have yet to feel any real relief.
The Presidency has not yet responded to Obi’s remarks, but officials have consistently maintained that Tinubu’s reforms are necessary to stabilize the economy in the long term, despite current hardships.
