Nigeria could be richer if… – Peter Obi

Former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi has mentioned Nigeria could be considerably wealthier if successive administrations had preserved public funds in banks and allowed them to earn curiosity.

Obi made the remarks throughout a radio interview in Nasarawa State on Wednesday, the place he mentioned public finance administration, accountability and his file as governor.

The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) for the 2027 election mentioned prudent administration of presidency funds might have considerably improved the nation’s monetary place.

“I wish everybody in this country left money in the bank; they have interest. Nigeria would have been so rich that we don’t know what to do with money,” he mentioned.

Obi disclosed that his administration stored public funds in three completely different banks as a part of its strategy to managing state assets.

‘Nigeria is a criminalised place’

The former governor additionally criticised what he described as a tradition during which trustworthy persons are focused whereas these concerned in wrongdoing shield each other.

“Nigeria is a criminalised place. The criminals will always come together to show what the honest person did,” he mentioned.

He added, “In Nigeria, to be honest is to be a criminal. To be criminal is to be honest.”

Why my authorities prevented undertaking ceremonies – Obi

Obi mentioned his administration didn’t prioritise elaborate ceremonies or tv appearances to publicise its tasks as a result of they had been funded with taxpayers’ cash.

“We did what we were doing with public money, so the public already see us working, so why are we going to do the ceremony or showing it on TV? Maybe I was wrong, but that was what happened,” he mentioned.

He defined that his administration’s strategy was based mostly on the assumption that the general public might see the work being finished with out the necessity for ceremonies to showcase it.

Obi defends Anambra’s training file

The former governor additionally defended his administration’s efficiency in fundamental training, claiming that Anambra recorded notable achievements throughout his tenure.

“I was the best in education, basic education as a governor. You can go and check the records,” he mentioned.

To help his declare, Obi cited a go to by Oxford University professor Paul Collier, whom he mentioned assessed instructional developments throughout a number of states and witnessed enhancements in Anambra.

He maintained that accountable administration of public funds and sustained funding in training had been important to Nigeria’s growth.