"Misplaced Priority": Peter Obi Slams Tinubu's Govt Over N142 Billion Bus Terminal Budget
- The Labour Party (LP) standard bearer during the 2023 presidential election, Peter Obi, has labelled the federal government’s budget of N142 billion for the construction of bus terminals as another evidence of misplaced priority
- In a statement on Friday, August 22, Obi said the difference between the success and failure of the development in any nation is how it prioritises its scarce resources
- Obi compared the allocation to the health sector, noting that the combined budget for all teaching hospitals and federal psychiatric centres nationwide is under N100 billion in the 2024 budget
Legit.ng journalist Ridwan Adeola Yusuf has over 9 years of experience covering politics, elections, and governance in Nigeria.
FCT, Abuja - Peter Obi, the candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 presidential election, has said the Bola Ahmed Tinubu's government's N142 billion for bus terminals is another evidence of misplaced priority.
Legit.ng recalls that Senator Saidu Ahmed Alkali, the minister of transportation, recently announced the construction of new transportation terminals in Abeokuta in Ogun state, Gombe, Kano, Lokoja (Kogi state), Onitsha in Anambra state, and Edo, at an approved sum of N142,028,576,008.17.
Source: Twitter
The minister stated that the federal executive council (FEC’s) decision followed reported incidents of road accidents, crime, and illegal arms proliferation.
But in a statement on Friday afternoon, August 22, shared on his verified X (formerly Twitter) page, seen by Legit.ng, Obi fumed at the multi-billion naira bus terminal budget. The former Anambra state governor argued that the difference between the success and failure of a nation is how the country prioritises its "scarce resources".
The presidential hopeful said:
"The recent announcement that a sum of N142 billion has been approved by the federal government for the construction of one bus terminal in each of our six geopolitical zones further affirms the lack of competence, lack of focus and poor leadership.
"In the 2024 budget, which is the operational budget today, the entire budget of all the teaching hospitals across all the federal universities in the country, as well as the federal psychiatric centres, is under N100 billion, yet the government has approved N142 billion for bus terminals.
"This is disturbing, considering that health is one of the most critical areas of development, which is deteriorating and remains grossly underfunded. WHO recently reported that over 20 million Nigerians are living with mental health issues.
"This is not only a misplaced priority but a tragic irony of our country. This is not governance."
Read more on Peter Obi:
- Peter Obi reacts to proposed salary increase for political office holders
- 2027 election: 2 things that'll happen to Tinubu if Atiku, Peter Obi contest
- Peter Obi’s educational background: Details show his certifications
Possibility of Obi withdrawing from contest
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that Demola Olarewaju, special assistant, digital media strategy to former Vice President (VP) Atiku Abubakar, said should his principal withdraw from the 2027 presidential race and endorse Obi, President Tinubu “will sweep the north”.
Olarewaju stated that the recently-held by-elections are proof that political leverage is personal and not transferable.
The political strategist was reacting to the triumph of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the special elections conducted in 12 states.
Source: Legit.ng
