Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to prioritize Nigeria’s healthcare system by using local hospitals for his medical needs.
Obi argued that this would encourage confidence in the country’s health institutions and reduce reliance on foreign medical trips, a persistent issue plaguing Nigeria for years.
Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja, Obi highlighted the importance of leaders setting examples. He called on Tinubu to consider facilities like the National Hospital in Abuja or any Federal Medical Centres across the country for medical care.
According to Obi, “It is time for you to visit our national hospitals. For instance, consider conducting your next medical examination at one of our National Hospitals or regional FMCs in Sokoto, Birnin Kebbi, Calabar, Umuahia, or Akure, among others.”
Obi also criticized the frequency of international trips by Tinubu and his Vice President, Kashim Shettima, which reportedly included medical visits. Tinubu alone has spent 124 days abroad in the past 18 months, sparking questions about transparency and priorities.
Additionally, Obi urged the President to assess Nigeria’s road infrastructure personally by traveling domestically. He cited his own experience as governor of Anambra State, recalling a trip with former President Olusegun Obasanjo that led to immediate road improvements.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) reacted strongly, accusing Obi of hypocrisy and attempting to mislead Nigerians.
APC spokesperson Felix Morka dismissed Obi’s remarks as politically motivated, stating, “You can take short trips, for example, from Calabar in Cross River State to Uyo in Akwa Ibom State, a distance of less than 100 km, or from Benin in Edo State to Warri in Delta State. I recall taking President Olusegun Obasanjo on a trip from Awka to Onitsha on a federal highway when I was the Governor of Anambra State.
“That journey prompted him to immediately approve the reconstruction of parts of the road by the Anambra State government, with subsequent reimbursement by the federal government. Such actions are immensely valuable.
“Make both impromptu and planned visits to our tertiary institutions, where our children and future leaders are being trained, are essential to familiarize yourself with the available infrastructure, facilities, and amenities. These visits will provide valuable insight into whether the resources of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund are being utilised optimally and what is needed to sustain the education system.”
Obi, however, reiterated his commitment to holding leaders accountable and dismissed rumors of aligning with other political parties for the 2027 elections. Instead, he called for a united front among democracy advocates to challenge the APC.
Reacting however, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, the APC accused Obi of hypocrisy, saying his New Year’s message is ‘misleading and appears intended to score cheap political points.’
He said, “In reality, 18 months later, the economy under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration has shown a steady record of progress. Despite these and other initial beneficial outcomes of ongoing reforms, the administration is doubling its effort to ensure their fullest benefits for the transformation of our country.
“It is a thing of irony that Obi, who now arrogates to himself to be omniscient and philosopher’s stone, when it comes to our nation’s challenges, left no record of significant achievement, let alone transformation of any kind, in his eight-year tenure as Governor of Anambra State.
“Like his co-travellers in the PDP, Obi’s obsessive pessimism and endless but futile effort to incite public outrage against the administration is borne out of the realization that Tinubu is unwittingly cementing their political irrelevance by his visionary and full-throttle reform.
“Under the banner of the Renewed Hope Agenda, President Tinubu is dutifully turning our nation’s fortunes around. We urge Nigerians to remain confident of better days ahead.”
