*Charges APC On Transparency, Accountability To Nigerians
The Labour Party’s presidential candidate for the 2023 election, Peter Obi, has strongly criticized Nuhu Ribadu’s claims of inheriting a financially bankrupt nation from the past administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.
During an address on Monday, the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu said the incumbent government, under President Bola Tinubu, inherited a “bankrupt country”.
He conveyed that they are encountering significant budgetary limitations, affirming that “I’m comfortable sharing this information with you. It’s important for you to understand. Our current situation is highly critical.
“We’ve taken on an immensely challenging nation, one in financial disarray to the extent that we’re repaying debts accumulated in the past. The severity of this matter cannot be overstated.
“Nevertheless, our administration is making every effort to fulfill our obligations, notably those concerning the armed forces, amid these challenging circumstances.”
However, in response to Ribadu’s statements, Peter Obi faulted the All Progressives Congress (APC) government for its lack of transparency regarding the extent of the financial deficit inherited.
Obi emphasized the need for clear disclosure to inform the public about the nation’s current standing and future trajectory.
Drawing parallels to the past, Obi recalled how the APC administration previously blamed the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2015 for inheriting financial challenges and subsequently escalating the country’s debt profile.
Expressing concern over the escalating debt from N12.6 trillion in 2015 to N87 trillion in 2023 during the APC’s tenure, Obi highlighted the nation’s deteriorating state across various developmental indices, including education, healthcare, poverty alleviation, and security.
Obi stressed the urgency of implementing measures to reduce the high cost of governance, redirecting resources towards critical sectors such as security, healthcare, education, and poverty eradication.
The statement by Peter Obi on X formerly Twitter further questioned the rationale behind certain expenditures in the recently approved supplementary budget, emphasizing the necessity of allocating resources prudently to address the nation’s pressing needs.
Obi called for concrete and measurable steps aimed at improving Nigeria’s current economic situation rather than allocating funds to non-essential areas.
