The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has challenged President Bola Tinubu to explain how his administration spent the ₦15.8 trillion generated from fuel subsidy removal and more than $100 billion in borrowings.
Obi said Nigerians deserve clear evidence that the additional public resources have improved their living conditions. He asked the President to provide figures on poverty reduction, education, healthcare, electricity supply and national security.
The former Anambra State governor made the demands in a statement published on his X account on Saturday. He titled the statement, “Good Day, Mr President: Nigerians Deserve Accountability.”
His comments followed Tinubu’s appearance at an All Progressives Congress (APC) campaign rally in Akwa Ibom State on Friday. During the rally, the President criticised Obi over the erosion crisis in Anambra State during his tenure as governor.
Obi demands explanation of public funds
Obi urged Tinubu to visit more states and engage directly with Nigerians about his administration’s performance.
He also asked the President to explain what the government had done with increased tax collections and other revenues that exceeded its targets.
In his statement, Obi said:
“I sincerely hope this visit will inspire you to travel to the remaining 33 states of the federation, spend time with the people and, more importantly, explain what your administration has done with the N15.8tn saved from the removal of fuel subsidy, the over $100bn you have borrowed, the increased revenues accruing to the government from taxing Nigerians, and the additional government revenues which your administration celebrated last year as having surpassed its target.”
The NDC candidate argued that the resources available to the government should produce measurable improvements in citizens’ lives.
Questions poverty, education and healthcare progress
Obi asked the Federal Government to disclose how many Nigerians had moved out of poverty since Tinubu assumed office.
He also demanded figures showing how many out-of-school children had returned to classrooms and how many functional primary healthcare centres the administration had established.
On electricity, Obi recalled Tinubu’s earlier promise that Nigerians should not re-elect him if he failed to improve power supply.
He said citizens deserved to know how much electricity supply had improved under the current administration.
Obi raises concerns over national security
The former governor also questioned the government’s security performance.
He asked Tinubu to explain what his administration had done to protect Nigerians from terrorism and other security threats.
Obi maintained that Nigerians deserved accountability for the public resources entrusted to the government.
“Mr President, Nigerians deserve answers. They deserve to know what has been done with the resources entrusted to your government,” he added.
He said accountability, transparency and measurable improvements in citizens’ lives should guide the country’s leadership.
Finance Ministry previously explained subsidy savings
The ₦15.8 trillion figure has also featured in the Federal Government’s explanation of the economic reforms.
In August 2026, the Ministry of Finance said subsidy savings generated ₦15.8 trillion in resources for the Federation between June 2023 and December 2025.
The ministry explained that the amount was shared among the three tiers of government. The Federal Government received ₦5.4 trillion, states received ₦6.5 trillion, while local governments received ₦3.9 trillion.
It also said the savings formed part of a wider pool of resources used to fund government expenditure. The ministry listed wage adjustments, debt servicing and infrastructure among the spending areas.
Obi’s latest challenge therefore puts renewed focus on how public revenue and borrowing translate into tangible improvements for Nigerians.
The Federal Government has yet to respond directly to the specific questions raised in Obi’s statement.
