Peter Obi Urges Tinubu to Apply Same Infrastructure Advice to Federal Government
Peter Obi says the Federal Government should focus on rehabilitating existing infrastructure instead of embarking on costly new projects, insisting that President Bola Tinubu’s recent advice to governors should also apply at the national level.
Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has called on President Bola Tinubu to apply to the Federal Government the same advice he recently gave state governors regarding infrastructure development.
Obi argued that while the President’s warning against constructing unnecessary flyovers was a welcome development, the Federal Government itself was still pursuing unrealistic and expensive projects despite the poor condition of major roads and other essential infrastructure across the country.
The former Anambra State governor made the remarks in a statement shared on his X account on Saturday, titled “Rehabilitate Existing Infrastructure Before Embarking on New Projects.”
Obi Says Tinubu’s Position Confirms His Long-Standing Argument
According to Obi, he has consistently maintained that governments at every level should prioritise repairing and completing existing infrastructure before launching new projects that may eventually be abandoned.
He noted that although he had faced criticism in the past for promoting this approach, President Tinubu’s recent comments to state governors had effectively reinforced the same position.
“The President is, in essence, saying what I have always maintained: government must prioritise projects that directly address the immediate needs of the people,” Obi stated.
He added that those who criticised him for expressing similar views should now extend the same criticism to the President, since both were advocating the same principle.
Federal Government Should Lead by Example, Obi Insists
While welcoming Tinubu’s advice to governors, Obi stressed that the message should not be directed only at state governments.
According to him, the Federal Government is also embarking on several costly projects that offer limited immediate value, while many strategic highways and public infrastructure remain neglected.
He argued that Nigeria’s current economic realities require governments to concentrate available resources on rehabilitating and completing existing projects instead of initiating expensive developments that may not address the country’s most urgent needs.
Poor Roads Are Hurting Businesses and Food Distribution
Obi expressed concern over the deteriorating condition of several highways connecting commercial hubs and agricultural communities across Nigeria.
He described many of the roads as death traps, warning that neglecting critical transport infrastructure in favour of prestige projects was neither economically wise nor beneficial to ordinary Nigerians.
According to him, improving existing roads would have a more direct impact on economic activities, food transportation and the daily lives of citizens.
Obi Reflects on His Record as Anambra Governor
Drawing from his tenure as Governor of Anambra State, Obi said his administration prioritised completing viable projects inherited from previous governments before initiating new ones.
He maintained that governance should be viewed as a continuous process rather than a series of separate administrations, adding that development should be measured by the successful completion and usefulness of projects instead of who originally initiated them.
Obi reiterated that governments should focus on delivering projects that improve the lives of citizens and make prudent use of public funds, especially at a time when Nigeria is facing significant economic challenges.
