The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has asked President Bola Tinubu to account for the ₦15.8 trillion reportedly saved from the removal of fuel subsidy, alongside more than $100 billion in borrowings and increased government revenue.
Mr Obi made the request in an open letter titled “Good Day, Mr President: Nigerians Deserve Accountability,” following Mr Tinubu’s visit to Akwa Ibom State.
He congratulated the president on spending a night outside Lagos and Abuja, urging him to visit the remaining 33 states and explain how his administration had managed public resources.
“I sincerely hope this visit will inspire you to travel to the remaining 33 states of the federation, spend time with the people and, more importantly, explain what your administration has done with the ₦15.8 trillion saved from the removal of fuel subsidy, the over $100 billion you have borrowed, the increased revenues accruing to the government from taxing Nigerians, and the additional government revenues which your administration celebrated last year as having surpassed its target”, he wrote.
The former Anambra governor challenged the effectiveness of the funds in reducing poverty and improving education, healthcare, electricity supply and national security.
He asked the president to disclose the number of Nigerians who had been lifted out of poverty, how many out-of-school children had returned to classrooms and how many functional primary healthcare centres had been established.
Mr Obi also sought clarification on the state of electricity supply, recalling Mr Tinubu’s earlier promise that Nigerians should not vote for him if he failed to fix the power sector.
He said Nigerians deserved answers on how the resources entrusted to the government had improved their standard of living.
Mr Obi added that accountability, transparency and measurable improvements in citizens’ lives should serve as the basis of a new Nigeria.