The Nigerian Presidency on Monday dismissed former Labour Party candidate Peter Obi’s economic critique as shallow and politically motivated. Daniel Bwala, Special Adviser on Policy Communication to President Bola Tinubu, expressed astonishment that Obi agreed with the removal of fuel subsidy and foreign exchange unification, two flagship policies of the Tinubu administration.
Bwala, in a statement on X, accused Obi of lacking a substantive alternative agenda, alleging his primary aim is to seize power rather than offer credible governance solutions. “He seems to have very shallow knowledge of economics and governance,” Bwala said, highlighting Obi’s inability to clearly define how he would have implemented these policies better.
Obi, during an Arise TV interview, admitted he would have removed the fuel subsidy but criticized the Tinubu government’s “haphazard” approach. He called for a gradual and organized implementation and demanded accountability on the billions reportedly saved from subsidy removal, questioning the absence of tangible investments in critical sectors.
The Presidency’s response underscores the ongoing political tension as Obi’s critiques gain public attention while the Tinubu administration defends its economic reforms.