Those with businesses when Tinubu came in now sell kuli-kuli — Obi

Former Anambra State Governor and Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has leveled sharp criticism against the administration of President Bola Tinubu, alleging that his economic policies have caused widespread business collapse and exacerbated poverty. In an interview with Chude Jideonwo published on Wednesday, Obi suggested that many individuals who initially supported President Tinubu in the 2023 election have seen their livelihoods decimated, forcing them into desperate economic circumstances.

Obi dismissed the “Renewed Hope” agenda as a failure, claiming that the country has regressed significantly since the current administration took office. He pointed to worsening indicators regarding poverty and hunger, arguing that the hardships faced by citizens are now undeniable realities rather than abstract political talking points. “Those who had business when he came into power have collapsed. They are now the people who are selling kuli-kuli?” Obi remarked, emphasizing the severity of the economic downturn.

The former presidential candidate also asserted that the support base for his own political movement has not diminished but has, in fact, expanded as more Nigerians reassess the outcomes of the 2023 election. He argued that voters who previously favored the current administration based on “political experience” have been disillusioned by the results. “My fellowship has increased because those who jumped into some experiential thing… I was going to create the future,” he stated.

During the discussion, Obi also defended his political alignment with former Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso. Addressing concerns regarding Kwankwaso’s political structure, Obi praised the former governor’s commitment to human capital development and his focus on the welfare of the poor. He stressed that investing in people through education and healthcare is the only viable path to national growth, citing the success of the “Asian Tigers” as a model Nigeria should emulate.

Obi reiterated that his primary focus remains on transitioning Nigeria from a consumption-based economy to a productive one, with a specific emphasis on tackling the out-of-school children crisis and improving health outcomes. He concluded by rejecting the current government’s promises, stating, “Which hope are they going to renew again? You can’t renew failure, and that’s it.”