"Peter Obi Argues That Meeting Revenue Goals Isn't About Making Afirmations in News Conferences Regarding Tinubu"

President Bola Tinubu announced at a recent meeting with the founding members of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change and The Buhari Organisation that the country's revenue target for 2025 was achieved in August, following economic reforms focused on the non-oil sector. The President expressed optimism about the economy's direction.

However, former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi has questioned the government's claim, arguing that anything less would mean that revenue growth has not translated into national growth. He stated that for the economy to be considered stabilized, Nigerians must feel its impact in their daily lives.

Obi pointed out that the country's continuous government borrowings, unpaid contractor bills, and underfunded projects contradict the government's claim of achieving the revenue target. He described projects related to improving education facilities and healthcare services as significantly underfunded, emphasizing the need for better-equipped institutions in both sectors.

The former presidential candidate argued that every value of excess revenue should be deliberately channelled into the critical areas of development: health, education, and pulling people out of poverty. He also emphasized that huge contractor bills, still owed, should be paid for the economy to be considered stabilized.

Obi further stated that the achievement of the revenue target does not benefit Nigerians if they do not feel its impact in their daily lives. He described classrooms where children learn and hospitals where citizens can receive quality care as indicators of true economic stability.

Critical underfunded projects should now be funded for the economy to be considered stabilized, Peter Obi stated. He also called for the channelling of funds to be done transparently, with verifiable and measurable outcomes.

Umaru Tanko Al-Makura, former Governor of Nasarawa State, was among the attendees of the meeting with President Tinubu. The debate between the President and Peter Obi on the state of the economy and its impact on the citizens highlights the need for continuous dialogue and transparent governance.

In conclusion, while President Tinubu celebrates the achievement of the revenue target, Peter Obi's criticisms underscore the need for the government to ensure that the benefits of economic growth are felt by the citizens, particularly in the areas of education, healthcare, and poverty alleviation.