By John Moses
A war of words has erupted between Nigeria’s presidency and former Labour Party presidential hopeful Peter Obi, after the latter criticised the government’s handling of recent economic reforms during a television appearance.
Obi, a former governor of Anambra State and one of the leading opposition voices, appeared on Arise News on Monday, where he voiced support for the removal of fuel subsidies but criticised its execution as haphazard. He argued that while the policy was necessary, its rollout lacked planning and transparency.
“I support the removal of the fuel subsidy—this has been consistent in my position—but it should have been done in a structured and deliberate manner,” Obi stated. “If billions have been saved, let Nigerians see where these funds have gone.”
The response from the Presidency was swift and scathing. Daniel Bwala, a senior presidential adviser, accused Obi of engaging in political doublespeak and failing to offer practical alternatives.
“He agreed with our subsidy and foreign exchange policies, only to turn around and claim he would have done it better,” Bwala said on X. “But when pressed on what his ‘organised manner’ would be, he had no clear answer.”
Bwala went further to suggest that the interview was biased, alleging that the host provided Obi with undue assistance during the session. “The host, clearly sympathetic to his movement, gave him repeated lifelines,” he said, referring to supporters of the former candidate popularly known as the “Obidients.”
The presidency’s reaction underscores the growing frustration within government ranks over continued public criticism of Tinubu’s economic policies. Since coming to power, the administration has implemented sweeping changes, including subsidy cuts and currency unification—measures applauded by international lenders but widely blamed for surging inflation and worsening hardship at home.
Obi remains a vocal critic of the government, often challenging its narrative on economic recovery. He has accused the administration of failing to justify how supposed savings from subsidy removal have benefited ordinary Nigerians.
“Nigerians deserve clarity and results, not just promises,” he said during the interview. “There is no visible transformation to show for the supposed savings.”
As economic hardship deepens and public discontent grows, the exchange between Obi and the presidency reflects the broader political tension over how to steer Africa’s largest economy through its current turbulence.
