Peter Obi Accuses Tinubu Of Misleading Nigerians With False Economic Data.
Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, has sharply criticised President Bola Tinubu, accusing him of using inaccurate statistics to mask Nigeria’s worsening economic conditions. In a statement shared on his official X account on Monday, 28 July 2025, Obi claimed that the Tinubu administration is “overfeeding Nigerians with wrong statistics” to paint a falsely positive picture of the nation’s economy.
Obi referenced a 2022 campaign speech in Delta State, where Tinubu, then the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, mocked Obi’s reliance on data-driven governance. Tinubu had remarked, “Na statistics we go chop? All I want is to put food on the table of Nigerians.” Obi highlighted the irony, noting that two years into Tinubu’s presidency, Nigeria is now classified as one of the world’s hungriest nations, with millions struggling to afford basic meals. “The promise to put food on the table remains unfulfilled,” Obi stated, pointing to rising poverty and food insecurity under the current administration.
The former Anambra State governor accused Tinubu of relying on manipulated figures, including inaccurate unemployment rates, inflated GDP rebasing, and misleading inflation data, to obscure the country’s economic decline. “President Tinubu is now overfeeding Nigerians with wrong statistics—from faulty unemployment figures to questionable GDP rebasing—all to put a positive spin on our deteriorating economic and household conditions,” Obi said. He argued that such tactics fail to address the real hardships faced by Nigerians, including soaring inflation and widespread hunger.
Obi reiterated his long-standing stance on governance, stating, “Governance is not rocket science, nor is it a gamble. It requires sincerity of purpose, character, competence, capacity, and compassion.” He called for transparent leadership to tackle Nigeria’s challenges and restore public trust, adding, “A new Nigeria is POssible.” His remarks have sparked widespread discussion on social media, with many Nigerians echoing his concerns about the state of the economy.
The criticism comes as the African Democratic Congress (ADC), which Obi recently joined as part of a coalition of opposition leaders, ramps up its campaign to challenge the APC in the 2027 general election. Political analysts suggest that Obi’s pointed critique is part of a broader strategy to highlight the administration’s shortcomings ahead of the polls. However, supporters of Tinubu, including the Independent Media and Policy Initiative (IMPI), have dismissed Obi’s claims as simplistic, arguing that the administration’s economic reforms are showing signs of progress despite inherited challenges like low revenue and high debt.
As Nigeria grapples with economic hardship, Obi’s comments have reignited debates about the government’s handling of data and its impact on public perception. With the 2027 election looming, the clash between Obi and Tinubu underscores the intensifying political rivalry as opposition forces seek to capitalise on public discontent.
