NDC challenges Tinubu on fiscal accountability and poverty reduction

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has issued a formal challenge to President Bola Tinubu, demanding a detailed accounting of how public resources have been managed since his administration took office. In a statement released on Saturday, November 7, 2026, the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and his running mate, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, were presented as figures committed to addressing what the party described as the erosion of Nigeria’s commonwealth. The NDC stated that their political mission extends beyond environmental issues to tackling fiscal mismanagement, excessive borrowing, and a lack of accountability in the current government.

The party’s spokesperson, Dr. Chiogo Constance Ikokwu issued a declaration named 'Good Day, Mr President: Nigerians Deserve Accountability.' Within this document, Obi directly requested the head of state to reveal the number of citizens removed from poverty, the count of school-aged children who have resumed their education, and the quantity of operational primary healthcare facilities that were built. Obi argued that citizens deserve to know the tangible impact of public spending on their daily lives. He highlighted specific financial figures, including the ₦15.8 trillion saved from the removal of the petrol subsidy and over $100 billion in loans taken by the federal government. The written submission additionally alluded to the rise in tax collections and state income, which the current leadership allegedly marked as exceeding their goals in the preceding year.

Background

The NDC’s response was triggered by President Tinubu’s recent criticism of Peter Obi regarding the persistent erosion menace in Anambra State. Obi, a former governor of Anambra, had previously visited Akwa Ibom State, an event he used to renew his call for the President to travel to other parts of the country to explain his administration’s record. Obi congratulated Tinubu on spending a night outside Lagos and Abuja, hoping this would inspire him to visit the remaining 33 states to engage with citizens and clarify the use of funds.

To bolster their claims regarding financial stewardship, the NDC juxtaposed the economic accounts of Obi and Tinubu from their periods serving as state governors. The party claimed that Obi left Anambra State in 2014 with investments equivalent to $500 million, including local and foreign currency holdings and $156 million in dollar-denominated bonds. Conversely, the NDC pointed to data from the Debt Management Office showing that Lagos State's external liabilities were roughly $190.43 million upon the transfer of authority to Tinubu at the close of 2007. The party also criticised a pension law introduced during Tinubu’s time in Lagos, which provided lifetime benefits to former governors and their deputies, including houses in Lagos and Abuja, vehicles, furniture, utility and entertainment allowances, free medical care, and domestic staff provisions. The NDC alleged that a subsequent administration was forced to review some of these provisions, contrasting this with Obi’s tenure in Anambra, where no such pension scheme for former governors was established.

Why it matters

The dispute highlights a significant divergence in political narratives regarding economic management and public welfare. The NDC contends that the populace should no longer tolerate escalating poverty, joblessness, safety threats, and reduced buying capacity while the state gathers debt that yields no matching advantages. The party emphasised that the Obi-Kwankwaso ticket prioritises prudent management of public resources, productive investments, and improved citizen welfare. By questioning the debt-service-to-revenue ratio and the underfunding of critical sectors like healthcare and education despite increased revenues, the NDC is positioning itself as an alternative focused on fiscal sustainability. The issue affects all Nigerian citizens, as it concerns the allocation of billions in savings and loans that were intended to improve national infrastructure and social services. The NDC’s stance suggests that the current administration’s approach to borrowing and spending has not yielded the expected improvements in living standards.

What happens next

The NDC has called for the President to visit the remaining 33 states to explain his administration’s record. The party expects the President to provide a clear account of the ₦15.8 trillion saved from subsidy removal and the over $100 billion in borrowed funds. The ongoing public debate is likely to intensify as the 2027 presidential election approaches, with both sides focusing on fiscal accountability and the tangible outcomes of their respective governance philosophies.