The 2023 Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has lamented that Nigeria’s current state falls short of true democracy despite President Bola Tinubu’s involvement in the June 12 struggle.
Speaking during a press conference in Abuja on Thursday to mark the 2025 Democracy Day on June 12, Peter Obi accused Tinubu of being hypocritical and playing politics rather than working to better the lives of Nigerians.
He noted that the country’s ongoing political activities in the last two years point to the next general election.
The former Anambra State governor, who initially paid homage to the late MKO Abiola, stated that the politician made the ultimate sacrifice for democracy, adding that the current state of the economy calls for concern.
According to him, “It is deeply troubling that under the current administration, Nigeria cannot be said to be a democracy, even though the current president was part of the struggle to bring back democracy.
“The state of the nation is depressing as the economy and security are at an all-time low, and even key indicators for measuring national progress like health care, education and production.
“In 2023, about 38.9% of Nigerians lived below the poverty line, but it has now increased to 54%. Less than 10% of primary health care centres across the country are functioning. I have travelled to several states in the last six months and I have had to make interventions in maternity wards where giving birth is a 50/50 chance of survival for both mother and child.”
According to him, the hunger crisis and food insecurity are at an all-time high, with many unable to afford basic food items, leading many to resort to professional begging.
He added that instead of the current administration finding succour to the economic challenges, it has borrowed so much money that Nigeria’s debt is now ₦188 trillion.
“Due to this, the World Health Organisation released a report saying over 20 million Nigerians have mental health issues.
“Yet such monies have not been used to better the lot of the people as corruption is now at an all-time high, with the national assembly blatantly padding the 2025 budget.
“Nigerians now pay more tariffs for more darkness. This is against the president’s promise during his campaign, where he said if he didn’t give Nigerians power in four years, they should not vote for him for a second term,” he added.
He urged the president to uphold the rule of law and ensure transparency to return Nigeria to a democracy.
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