ABUJA — Former presidential candidate and opposition leader Peter Obi has issued a stinging rebuke of the Nigerian government’s fiscal priorities, contrasting the nation’s “extravagant” expenditure on political elites with the disciplined governance of developed economies.
In a bold public address on Friday, January 23, 2026, the former Anambra State Governor questioned the continued allocation of billions of naira for luxury vehicles intended for federal legislators and the Office of the First Lady. Obi characterized these expenditures as a betrayal of a citizenry currently grappling with unprecedented economic hardship and hyperinflation.
“In America, I have never heard they bought vehicles for legislators or the First Lady,” Obi stated. “America is the wealthiest nation on earth, yet it does not waste funds in this manner. So why should a struggling, borrowing country like Nigeria do the same?”
The statement marks an escalation in Obi’s “New Nigeria” campaign, which centers on a transition from a consumption-based economy to a production-driven one. He argued that the funds currently “squandered” on luxury SUVs and the maintenance of a bloated political class should be redirected toward critical infrastructure, particularly in the healthcare and education sectors.
Obi’s critique comes as the 2027 election cycle begins to take shape, with the opposition figure positioning himself as the primary advocate for institutional transparency. He further condemned the reported multi-million dollar spending on foreign lobbyists in Washington and the acquisition of new presidential aircraft, describing such actions as “insensitive and shameless” in a time of national austerity.
“The crisis in Nigeria is not a lack of resources, but a lack of leadership that understands the value of public funds,” Obi added. He urged the administration of President Bola Tinubu to adopt a more compassionate fiscal stance, warning that the widening gap between the lifestyle of political office holders and the suffering of the masses is a threat to national stability.
The Presidency has yet to issue a formal response to Obi’s specific comparisons to the U.S. model of legislative and executive support. However, supporters of the administration have previously argued that such expenditures are necessary for the operational efficiency of the government and the security of its officials.
