Obi challenges Tinubu to account for subsidy savings, $100bn loans

Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate Peter Obi has called on President Bola Tinubu to account for funds accumulated from petrol subsidy savings and external borrowings exceeding $100 billion.

In a statement posted on his official X handle on Saturday titled, “Good Day, Mr President: Nigerians Deserve Accountability,” Obi argued that the substantial financial inflows—bolstered by heightened tax revenues and government earnings—should yield tangible improvements in the daily lives of citizens.

The demand follows recent political sparring, coming a day after President Tinubu criticized Obi's gubernatorial record concerning the Anambra State erosion crisis during a campaign stop in Akwa Ibom State.

Responding to the remarks, Obi encouraged the President to tour more of the federation's 33 remaining states to engage directly with citizens and provide a transparent accounting of government expenditures.

"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 N15.8tn saved from the removal of fuel subsidy, the over $100bn 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," Obi stated.

The former governor challenged the executive to present concrete statistical evidence detailing poverty reduction metrics, educational enrollment rates, and the construction of functional primary healthcare facilities.

Obi also questioned the administration's performance on core infrastructure and public safety, pointing specifically to persistent power supply challenges—referencing the President's past campaign pledges regarding the electricity sector—and ongoing security threats across the country.

GOOD DAY, MR PRESIDENT: NIGERIANS DESERVE ACCOUNTABILITY

 

Good day, Mr President.

 

I congratulate you on spending a night in one of Nigeria’s states outside Lagos and Abuja. I hope you enjoyed the warmth, hospitality, and delicious cuisine of Akwa Ibom, which I am sure is even better than those of the destinations where you have spent over 260 days outside Nigeria since coming into office.

 

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.

 

Nigerians deserve to know how many that were pulled out of poverty within this period, how many out-of-school children were returned to school, and how many functional primary healthcare centres you have built. They also deserve to know how much electricity supply has improved, especially given your promise that if you do not fix power, Nigerians should not vote for you. They deserve an explanation of how you have secured the country, which still ranks among the most terrorised countries in the world.

 

Mr President, Nigerians deserve answers. They deserve to know what has been done with the resources entrusted to your government.

 

The New Nigeria we want to build will be based on accountability, transparency, and the physical, measurable impact of our public resources on the lives of citizens.

 

A new Nigeria is POssible. -PO

— Peter Obi (@PeterObi) November 7, 2026