Peter Obi to Tinubu: Achieving revenue targets means nothing to average Nigerians

Peter Obi, Labour Party 2023 presidential candidate, has criticised the FG’s celebration of an increase in revenue when the majority of the citizens are still suffering.

The former Anambra state governor made the statement on his official X platform on Thursday to educate the government on the need to prioritise the people’s well-being.

On Wednesday, President Tinubu hailed his administration, citing a rise in non-oil revenue collections between January and August 2025.

According to the Presidency, revenues accruing to the federation, federal, state, and local governments totalled N20.59 trillion between January and August 2025.

This statement provoked a response from the former presidential aspirant, who believed it is not worth celebrating, given that the economy is still as bad.

“The President has announced that our nation’s revenue target for the year has now been achieved by August, which could mean a stabilising economy.

“If indeed the economy stabilises as you declared, then Nigerians must feel it in their daily lives.

“Borrowings must stop now. Huge contractors’ bills, which are still owed should be paid, and critical underfunded projects must now be funded,” he wrote.

Obi further challenged the authenticity of the information, citing the state of health centres, schools, and the growing level of poverty in the country.

“Our educational facilities and hospitals are still in terrible condition. True economic stability is not in figures announced at press conferences.

“But in classrooms where children learn, in well-equipped labs and access to learning tools, in hospitals, where citizens can receive quality care, equipped with adequate facilities,” he added.

Speaking further, Obi advised the FG on how to spend the acclaimed excess revenue in order to achieve national growth.

“For the next four months, every value of our excess revenue should be deliberately channelled into the critical areas of development: health, education, and pulling people out of poverty.

“Anything less will mean that revenue growth has not translated into national growth. Nigerians deserve to see the impacts of this touted revenue growth,” he mentioned.

‘When will Nigerians breathe’

In other news, Peter Obi has asked a critical question regarding the survival of Nigerians after a new 5% tax on all refined fossil fuel sales, including petrol and diesel, was announced by the FG.

The former presidential aspirant took to his X page to vent his concern about the new policy of the FG.

He questioned why the FG, having recently announced that it has met its revenue target for the year with four months to go, is hell-bent on making life difficult for the people.

“Mr. President just yesterday boasted that Nigeria has met its revenue target for the year. Yet instead of easing hardship, the government imposes more burden on Nigerians.

“Even the so-called alternative, CNG, has become unaffordable, rising from about ₦230 to ₦450, while the promised subsidies on the CNG have quietly vanished.

“If our revenues are truly ‘excessive’ as claimed, should they not first be used to fund education, healthcare and pulling Nigerians out of poverty? Why tax citizens who cannot even breathe anymore?” he posted.

Peter Obi questioned the policy of the current administration, stating that the 5% fuel tax should wait until Nigerians begin to see tangible improvements in their lives as promised by the government.

He urged the FG to show sensitivity and compassion to the suffering masses by deploying resources to critical areas that will help to create jobs to alleviate the people’s hardships.

He cited the unpaid gratuities of retired workers, asking why the government has refused to pay them from the excess revenue it accrued.

“Why are retired public servants, including servicemen and women who have risked their lives for the nation, still protesting over unpaid gratuities and pensions?

“It is shameful that those who built this nation with their sweat, those who defended it with their lives, and those who have fulfilled their contractual obligations are reduced to begging for what is rightfully theirs, even after the government boasts of excess revenue,” Obi added.

Finally, Peter Obi challenged the government to do better, support SMEs and build a country that does not derive joy in seeing her people in debt and despair.