With the January 16, 2027 election approaching, the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has stated that its presidential candidate, Peter Obi, aims to halt the erosion of Nigeria’s commonwealth if elected. The party argues that Obi and his running mate, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, will tackle the discrepancies arising from the recent removal of fuel subsidies and the government’s excessive borrowing.
In a statement released on Saturday by Dr. Chiogo Constance Ikokwu, the spokesperson for the NDC National Presidential Campaign Council, the party emphasized that Nigerians need clarity on the fiscal advantages promised from the subsidy removal, especially in light of President Bola Tinubu’s new loan and ongoing budget underfunding.
The statement also addressed President Tinubu’s recent comments mocking Obi’s tenure as governor of Anambra State, particularly regarding the handling of erosion issues. While the President did not name Obi directly, he criticized the former governor’s actions compared to his own efforts in Lagos State.
The NDC asserts that the Obi-Kwankwaso ticket will prioritize economic accountability and resource management to avoid further borrowing without corresponding benefits for the populace, which is currently experiencing increasing poverty, unemployment, insecurity, and declining purchasing power.
The NDC’s message outlines a stark contrast between Obi’s record in Anambra, where he reportedly left substantial investments upon leaving office, and Tinubu’s legacy in Lagos, where the external debt situation appears less favorable. The NDC highlighted that while Obi was proactive in addressing erosion through initiatives like the World Bank’s Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project, Tinubu allegedly contributed to fiscal challenges through excessive pension benefits for former governors.
The party believes that the upcoming election presents a critical opportunity for Nigeria to shift away from a borrowing-dependent model towards a governance style focused on sustainable economic practices and improved citizen welfare.
