The Presidency has fired back at Peter Obi following his remarks on how the Bola Tinubu administration handled the removal of petrol subsidy and savings from it, describing the former Labour Party presidential candidate as “shallow” and lacking in economic depth.
Daniel Bwala, Special Adviser to the President on Policy Communication, made the statement on Monday, June 9, in a post on his official X account.
Bwala expressed surprise that Obi had agreed with Tinubu’s economic policies on subsidy removal and exchange rate unification, even though the former Anambra governor had earlier criticised their implementation.
He wrote, “Is anybody watching Peter Obi on Arise TV? He agreed with our policy of removal of subsidy and unification of the foreign exchange; he claimed he would have done it better than us in an ‘organised manner’.
“He was asked what the ‘organised manner’ is. He played with words, yet to arrive at agreeing with us.
“Anybody with a rational mind knows these guys are just looking to grab power, but they don’t have any alternative agenda.
“He seems to have very shallow knowledge of economics and governance.
“Remember, this is even an interview anchored by a member of his Obidient movement. That’s why you don’t hear ‘I put it to you’ and no barking like a rottweiler; yet ‘if it didn’t Dey it didn’t Dey.’”
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Obi had, earlier on Monday, during an interview on Arise Television, acknowledged support for the removal of petrol subsidy and floating of the naira but insisted the policies were poorly executed.
“I have consistently maintained that I would have removed the fuel subsidy,” Obi said.
“If you go to my manifesto, it is there and the steps I would have taken in an organised manner.
“There is nothing wrong with the removal of the fuel subsidy.
“What is wrong is the haphazard way in which it was announced and implemented.
“Since we were told that we removed it because we don’t want to borrow and that the funds will allow for investments in critical infrastructure.
“Billions saved. Where is it? Where is it invested in critical areas of development?”
Obi’s comments have sparked renewed debate over the transparency of fuel subsidy savings and the Tinubu administration’s economic direction.