The Big Tent Coalition, led by Prof. Pat Utomi, has criticized the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) for demanding that Peter Obi withdraw from the 2027 presidential race. The APC PCC cited a claim of $123.77 million in external loans, which Big Tent described as spurious and discredited. According to the coalition, this move is a desperate attempt to deflect attention from the ruling party's own failures.
The Big Tent Coalition's Director of Media and Communications, Charles Odibo, stated that the APC's actions are revealing, confirming that the ruling party resorts to falsehoods and character assassination when confronted with its own failures. Odibo also pointed out that the APC PCC relied on accusations released by the Anambra State Government under Governor Chukwuma Soludo, which Big Tent described as false and unsubstantiated.
Big Tent also criticized President Bola Tinubu's administration, citing its failure to deliver on various human development indices. The coalition noted that Nigerians have witnessed declining education standards, buckling healthcare systems, deepening poverty, soaring unemployment, and increasing insecurity since the administration took office in 2023. These issues are not abstract talking points but the daily reality of millions of Nigerians.
The coalition recalled President Tinubu's public pledge that Nigerians should not vote for him for a second term if he failed to deliver uninterrupted electricity supply. However, power generation and distribution have worsened since he assumed office. Big Tent argued that, by his own standard, the question is not why Peter Obi should remain in the race, but why Bola Tinubu is still contesting in 2027.
According to Big Tent, the external loans attributed to Obi's administration between 2006 and 2014 are a misrepresentation of verifiable facts. The coalition provided details on two projects: the Nigeria Malaria Control Booster Project (MCBP) 2007, which was financed through a $180 million IDA credit from the World Bank to the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and Fadama III, a World Bank/IDA-financed national project.
Big Tent emphasized that Anambra State was merely one of seven participating states in these projects, and the Federal Government was the borrower, not Anambra State. The coalition accused the APC PCC of manufacturing scandals instead of showcasing accomplishments. This approach, Big Tent argued, is a result of the administration's failures and its inability to defend its record.
The Big Tent Coalition's criticism of the APC PCC and President Tinubu's administration reflects a broader debate about the credibility of political leaders and their records. As the 2027 presidential race approaches, various stakeholders are scrutinizing the claims and counterclaims made by different political actors. The coalition's statement highlights the need for fact-based discussions and accountability in Nigerian politics.
Key points
- The Big Tent Coalition criticizes APC for demanding Peter Obi's withdrawal from 2027 presidential race over discredited claims.
