The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has urged President Bola Tinubu to address Nigerians directly on the state of the nation, accusing him of relying too heavily on aides and spokespersons to communicate government policies.
Obi made the remarks during an interview on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, where he criticised the President’s communication style, saying Nigerians deserve to hear directly from the leader they elected.
“It’s not even ‘audio hope’ because the man we voted for isn’t even talking to us anymore,” Obi said.
The former Anambra State governor alleged that Tinubu had become detached from the public since assuming office.
“The person we voted for in this country is Bola Tinubu. He’s no longer talking to us; he’s gone into Aso Rock and turned it into a bunker. We want him to come out of that bunker and speak to the people,” he stated.
Obi also questioned the President’s handling of issues of national importance, citing the controversy surrounding the Presidential Economic Advisory Council/Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PEAC/PFIPC) as an example of why direct communication from the President was necessary.
Beyond his criticism of the administration, Obi outlined his vision for Nigeria’s economy, insisting that agriculture should form the foundation of national development.
“The only way to pull Nigeria out of poverty, or even genuinely grow GDP, is through production, not consumption. That production starts with agriculture,” he said.
According to him, Nigeria has enough arable land to become a major food producer and exporter if insecurity is addressed and farmers receive the necessary government support.
“This country can produce enough of what we can eat, and we can actually make more money from agriculture than we make from oil,” Obi added.
He maintained that improving security, revitalising manufacturing and providing affordable financing for businesses would help build a productive economy capable of creating jobs, reducing poverty and boosting exports.
(The Sun)