Izuchukwu Okosi
Former Anambra state Governor Dr Peter Obi has unequivocally declared that if elected President in the 2023 Presidential election, there will be a different approach to how borrowed monies from the World Bank will be spent.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelObi, one of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential aspirants was guest of Arise TV on Tuesday morning’s edition of ‘The Morning Show’ (12 April 2022) as monitored by Prime Business Africa where he fielded questions on critical issues and challenges that Nigerians are faced in the areas of economy, security and corruption and how he intends to tackle such problems.
“Under my watch, not a kobo will be borrowed for consumption, instead we starve,” Obi revealed.
“The country (Nigeria) is not productive – growth minimal of 200 million people, 60% which are youths are not productive. You need to support SMEs and women in these sectors for there to be growth.
“I abolished the office of the First lady in Anambra State because it is illegal. Waste of funds.”
“That’s why when you go to the Church and they say keep your phone (very well) not because people came to church to steal but because if he (a thief) sees an opportunity, he will take it,” the former Anambra Governor stressed.
Speaking further on the subject of corruption, the ‘Okwute Ndigbo’ said:
“Corruption index relates to management of public resources and trust. We need to focus on management of public fund and trust. We need to strengthen agencies that tackle corruption.
“Nigerians should know the reasons for borrowing and it must be for Production. Tafawa Balewa borrowed $82m in 1964 to build the Kainji dam, the first time the Federal government borrowed money (from the World Bank). Today, it’s still functioning but where’s the money borrowed yesterday that is nowhere to be found,” the technocrat who is also a successful business entrepreneur asked rhetorically.
Obi however elected to evade questions on his reaction go the revelation by incumbent Anambra state Governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo that the state has incurred a lot of debts with less than $100m left in the state coffers.
The Presidential aspirant also refused to speak extensively on the clash of egos in the camp of the All Progressives Congress (APC) between Professor Yemi Osinbajo and former Lagos State Governor, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Tinubu whilst responding to a question from the press on Monday on the declaration of Vice president Osinbajo widely considered as his ‘political godson’ said bluntly that he doesn’t “have a son grown enough to declare for presidency.”
“It doesn’t matter who becomes the President. It could be the father, son or grandson. We have seen fathers more responsible than the son and also sons more responsible than their fathers,” Obi stated tactly.
On the issue of Insecurity, Obi explained that there are two forms of Insecurities and how one would naturally need to be solved before the other can be tackled.
“Security is a renewable asset. There are two types of securities – Natural security and Defensive security.
“Natural security is food security. You need to put food on the table. That’s why these bandits feel they are taking a revenge on the society.
“Defensive security is something that should be a constant thing not only when there’s a banditry attack. There should be state police in the country. Every village had security apparatus in Anambra State. And they all had security gadgets.”
Izuchukwu Okosi is a Nigerian sports and entertainment journalist with two decades of experience in the media industry having begun his media journey in 2002 as an intern at Mundial Sports International (MSI) and Africa Independent Television (AIT), owners of Daar Communications Plc.
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