By Abigail David
The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress and former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi, has questioned the economic gains claimed by President Bola Tinubu’s administration, arguing that increased government revenue has not translated into improved living conditions for Nigerians.
In a statement shared on his X account on Wednesday, Obi noted that the President had highlighted a rise in government revenue from N16.8 trillion in 2022 to N35 trillion in 2025 as a key achievement.
He, however, expressed concern over the country’s growing debt profile, claiming Nigeria’s total public debt has climbed to about N200 trillion despite the reported revenue increase.
Obi also alleged that key socio-economic indicators, including poverty, unemployment and GDP per capita, have deteriorated since 2023, and called for greater transparency in the management of public finances.
He urged the Federal Government to provide a detailed account of its economic and fiscal policies, asking, “Where did all the money go?”
The latest remarks follow Obi’s earlier criticism of the administration’s borrowing strategy and fiscal accountability.
Responding to the claims, the Presidency said Nigeria’s debt profile includes obligations inherited from previous administrations and state governments. Presidential aide Dada Olusegun also noted that exchange rate fluctuations significantly affect the naira value of the country’s external debt.
