Peter Obi

The presidency has described former Labour Party presidential candidate Mr Peter Obi as desperate for power and lacking depth in economic and governance matters.

Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Policy Communication, Mr Daniel Bwala, made the remarks today via his official X (formerly Twitter) handle, following Obi’s appearance on Arise Television.

Bwala expressed surprise that Obi, while criticising the Federal Government, admitted to supporting the removal of the fuel subsidy and the unification of exchange rates, two of the Tinubu administration’s key economic reforms.

According to Bwala, Obi’s criticism revealed a lack of concrete alternative solutions. “He agrees with our policy but says he would have implemented it in a more ‘organised’ manner. Yet he fails to define what that means. It’s clear they are simply chasing power without a defined agenda,” Bwala said.

He also questioned Obi’s economic expertise, describing his performance in the interview as superficial.

Obi, during his interview, maintained that while he supported the removal of the fuel subsidy and the floating of the naira, he would have executed the policies gradually and more effectively. He challenged the Tinubu administration to explain how it has spent the billions of naira saved from subsidy removal.

“There is nothing wrong with the policy itself. What is wrong is the haphazard way it was announced and implemented,” Obi said.

He also demanded accountability, asking the federal government to disclose where the savings from subsidy removal have been invested.

As debate over the government’s economic policies continues, the exchange highlights growing tension between the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and opposition voices ahead of the 2027 election cycle.