The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has responded to President Bola Tinubu's recent comments on Mr. Peter Obi's handling of Anambra State's erosion crisis. In a statement, the NDC said the Obi-Kwankwaso ticket is focused on stopping the rapid erosion of Nigeria's commonwealth. The party questioned the administration's fiscal direction, highlighting the growing contradiction between high revenues expected from fuel subsidy removal and the government's frequent new loan requests.
President Tinubu had spoken in Akwa Ibom on Friday, saying he had tamed the Atlantic Ocean as governor, while Obi ran away from erosion in Anambra State. The NDC responded, defending Obi's record in Anambra and highlighting his leadership in bringing the World Bank's Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP) to the state. The party noted that Obi's administration built concrete flood channels across several communities and enforced strict drainage requirements on all state road projects.
The NDC also contrasted the fiscal records of both leaders as former governors. The party noted that Obi left Anambra with over $500 million in local, foreign, and bond investments in 2014, while also refusing to implement lifetime governor pensions. In contrast, Lagos State carried roughly $190.43 million in external debt when President Tinubu left office in 2007, alongside a controversial gubernatorial pension law that burdened state finances.
The party warned that excessive debt and poor fiscal management have historically crippled powerful empires and modern nations alike, such as 19th-century Egypt, Argentina, and Zambia. The NDC emphasized that the Obi-Kwankwaso campaign offers a clear alternative to President Tinubu's borrowing-dependent governance model, committing instead to prudent resource management, accountability, and sustainable economic growth.
Dr. Chiogo Constance Ikokwu, spokesperson of the party's National Presidential Campaign Council, said Nigerians deserve to know what has happened to the promised fiscal benefits of subsidy removal. The party questioned the administration's frequent borrowing, poor debt-service-to-revenue ratio, and worsening economic conditions.
The NDC's response comes as Nigerians continue to grapple with economic challenges. The party's emphasis on prudent resource management and accountability resonates with citizens seeking a more sustainable economic future. As the country prepares for upcoming elections, the NDC's campaign message is likely to be closely watched by voters.
The NDC's defense of Obi's record and its contrasting of the fiscal records of both leaders highlight the ongoing debate about the best approach to governance in Nigeria. The party's commitment to sustainable economic growth and accountability is set to be a key aspect of its campaign as the country looks to the future.
Key points
- The NDC has questioned the administration's fiscal direction, highlighting contradictions between high revenues expected from fuel subsidy removal and frequent new loan requests.
