close
Thursday, February 17, 2022

Buhari regime borrowing for consumption: Peter Obi

Mr Obi in a series of tweets on Thursday faulted the Buhari regime for its continued borrowing, saying that the country spends 90 per cent of its revenue to pay debts.

• February 17, 2022
Peter Obi
Former Anambara State governor, Peter Obi (Photo Credit: Twitter)

Ex-Governor Anambra governor Peter Obi Thursday said that Nigeria is currently experiencing a harsh economic condition because President Muhammadu Buhari regime was borrowing for consumption and not for investments.

Mr Obi in a series of tweets on Thursday faulted the Buhari regime for its continued borrowing, saying that the country spends 90 per cent of its revenue to pay debts.

“Our past and continued mismanagement of borrowed funds and borrowing for consumption are the major contributors to the monumental economic challenges confronting Nigeria today,” Mr Obi said.

“Today, we are spending 90% of our revenue servicing debts because, ironically, our borrowed funds were mismanaged and have not been properly invested,” He added.

Noting that there is nothing wrong with borrowing, the former governor suggested that a law be put in place to ensure that every borrowed fund be strictly utilised on investments and the growth of the country’s economy.

“If the funds borrowed were invested in critical areas of development, education, health and poverty alleviation, Nigeria would have developed far beyond what it is today,” he added.

Mr Obi comments come as the Buhari regime continues to take on loans to service the country’s economy.

In April, the Senate approved $1.5 billion and €995 million external borrowings which were part of the $5.5 billion and €995 million external borrowings sought for by the president in May last year to finance the country’s budget.

According to the Nigerian Domestic and Foreign Debt Report, published in 2021  by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), the country’s total public debt as of September 2020 stood at N32.2 trillion ($84.57 billion)

More from Peoples Gazette

Economy

Buhari regime will continue to borrow without subsidy removal: Femi Adesina

“You know how much could have been saved if the subsidy was removed and how it could have been diverted to other areas and spheres of national life.

Femi Gbajabiamila, Rauf Aregbesola and Bola Tinubu

Politics

Tinubu didn’t send me to probe Aregbesola’s role in N165 billion prison fund: Gbajabiamila

Mr Gbajabiamila denied that the probe of prison spending initiated was politically motivated.

Abdulmumin Jubrin

Politics

Tinubu campaigner Abdulmumin Jubrin faces dismissal from Federal Housing Authority

It is unclear if Mr Jibrin’s position as the Director-General of the Tinubu Support Management Council is the reason he is being summoned by the FHA’s disciplinary council.

Bola Tinubu, Gboyega Oyetola and Rauf Aregbesola

Politics

Aregbesola alleges attempt on life as rift worsens with Tinubu, Oyetola

The fallout between Mr Aregbesola and his estranged leader Bola Tinubu and Mr Oyetola continues to spark heat in Osun state ahead of the party’s primary scheduled to hold on Saturday.

Buhari

World

Europe should develop Africa to stop migration to its region: Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari says Europe will not find sustainable solution to its problem of migration and crises associated with it, except it creates opportunities to develop Africa.

Photo of a thief used to illustrate the story

Faith

Staffers arraigned for stealing N13 million church money

The funds were proceeds of sale of various spiritual materials and items belonging to the church, police prosecutor said.