In 2025, Nigeria’s political arena witnessed a significant policy clash between President Bola Tinubu and former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi. This confrontation centered on divergent economic strategies, governance priorities, and regional equity, igniting widespread national discourse.
Obi’s Critique: A Call for Reform
Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, emerged as a vocal critic of President Tinubu’s administration. He highlighted several pressing issues affecting Nigeria’s socio-economic landscape:
Poverty and Economic Decline: Obi lamented the alarming rise in poverty, noting that over 100 million Nigerians now live in extreme poverty, with 150 million trapped in multidimensional hardship. He described Nigeria’s descent from Africa’s largest economy in 2014 to fourth place today, with GDP shrinking to $200 billion and per capita income plunging to $1,000.
Healthcare and Infrastructure : He criticized the administration’s handling of public resources, citing rising corruption, nepotism, and a lack of adherence to the rule of law. Obi also pointed out Nigeria’s inadequate power generation, frequent grid collapses, and reliance on generators, which he described as hindering national development.
Governance and Leadership: Obi urged President Tinubu to embark on a nationwide listening tour to directly engage with the challenges facing Nigerians. He suggested that the President conduct medical check-ups in local hospitals, travel by road to assess infrastructure, visit tertiary institutions to evaluate educational facilities, and engage with military formations and IDP camps to understand security challenges.
Tinubu’s Defense: A Vision of Progress
In response, President Tinubu’s administration defended its policies, highlighting several achievements:
Economic Indicators: The administration pointed to balance of trade surpluses, increased foreign direct investments, and a surge in stock market wealth creation as evidence of economic progress. They also noted a significant decline in the debt servicing ratio from 90% to about 64%.
Infrastructure Development: Efforts to restart moribund refineries and improvements in oil production and export of petroleum products were cited as steps toward energy security.
Security Enhancements: The administration highlighted the decimation of terrorist leaders and improvements in the security situation as part of its commitment to national safety.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) accused Obi of misleading Nigerians for cheap political gains, asserting that the economy under President Tinubu’s administration has shown steady progress.
Regional Dynamics: The North-South Divide
A significant point of contention was the proposed tax reform bill, which suggested changing the Value Added Tax (VAT) distribution method. The bill proposed shifting 60% of VAT allocation based on contribution and 20% on population. Northern leaders opposed this, arguing it would disadvantage the more populous but economically poorer northern states, exacerbating existing inequalities.
Obi criticized the government’s approach, emphasizing the need for broader consultation and better-informed citizens. He argued that tax should be a function of credibility and not merely a measure of a nation’s Gross Domestic Product.
Political Alliances and the 2027 Election
The policy clash also had political ramifications. In March 2025, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar confirmed the formation of a coalition with Peter Obi, former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, and others, aiming to challenge President Tinubu’s administration in the 2027 elections. The coalition was formed in response to Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, which they deemed unconstitutional.
A Nation at a Crossroads
The 2025 policy clash between President Tinubu and Peter Obi underscored deep divisions in Nigeria’s political and economic landscape. While the administration defended its policies as steps toward progress, critics like Obi highlighted ongoing challenges in poverty alleviation, infrastructure development, and regional equity. As the nation approaches the 2027 elections, these debates will likely shape the political discourse and influence the direction of the country’s future.
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