Presidential candidate Peter Obi has criticised President Bola Tinubu over his decision not to campaign across all 36 states ahead of the 2027 presidential election, questioning the president’s commitment to addressing the concerns of Nigerians.
Obi made the remarks on Thursday during a political summit in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, where he challenged Tinubu to explain his administration’s achievements and the impact of its economic policies.
The former Anambra State governor accused the president of spending considerable time outside Nigeria while failing to dedicate enough time to visiting communities across the country.
Tinubu had reportedly indicated that he might not visit every state during the campaign, explaining that governing the country requires his attention.
Obi disagreed with the position, arguing that Nigerians deserve direct engagement with their president, particularly as many households continue to struggle with rising food prices, transportation costs and other economic challenges.
He also questioned the government’s borrowing plans, asking what Nigerians had gained from the loans taken by the administration.
The opposition politician said the president should explain how borrowed funds had been used to improve public infrastructure, create employment opportunities and ease the financial pressure on citizens.
His comments come as political parties prepare for the 2027 general elections, with economic hardship and security concerns expected to remain major campaign issues.
Tinubu launched his re-election campaign in Kaduna on October 24, defending his economic reforms and promising continued recovery and development.
The president’s supporters argue that the reforms are necessary to strengthen Nigeria’s economy, while opposition figures maintain that the government has not done enough to improve living conditions.
The exchange highlights the growing political debate over leadership, economic performance and accountability ahead of the next presidential election.
