Peter Obi Criticizes Tinubu Administration Over N200 Trillion Debt Surge

The 2027 presidential candidate for the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has leveled sharp criticism against President Bola Tinubu’s administration, alleging “remarkably imprudent borrowing” that has escalated Nigeria’s total debt to approximately N200 trillion.  

In a statement issued on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, Obi highlighted that this figure represents an increase of over N100 trillion within just three years. He contrasted this with the approximately N49 trillion accumulated during the eight-year tenure of former President Muhammadu Buhari, suggesting that the current administration’s fiscal approach is unsustainable.  

Obi cited data from the Federation’s Budget Office to support his claims, noting that the government borrowed N11.89 trillion in the first three quarters of 2025—an amount that exceeded its planned target by N1.54 trillion. He argued that such an overshoot in a responsible democracy would necessitate immediate and rigorous scrutiny.  

Furthermore, the former Anambra State governor questioned the transparency of the administration’s spending. He pointed out that of the N17.58 trillion earmarked for capital projects during that same period, only N3.10 trillion (17.66%) was actually allocated, leaving a deficit of roughly N14.48 trillion.  

Obi concluded by demanding an official explanation for the whereabouts of these funds, asking: “Was it deployed for recurrent expenditure/consumption, for the entertainment of guests to Aso Rock or transferred to the Renewed Hope Agenda 2027 Election Campaign Fund? Nigerians deserve an answer on how our economy and resources are most unpatriotically managed.”