Presidency Criticizes Peter Obi’s Economic Views, Labels Them “Shallow”

The Presidency, through Special Adviser on Policy Communication Daniel Bwala, has dismissed recent criticisms by former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, describing his understanding of economics and governance as “shallow.”

In a statement posted Monday on his official X (formerly Twitter) account, Bwala responded to Obi’s appearance on Arise Television, where the former Anambra State governor questioned the Tinubu administration’s handling of key economic reforms, including the removal of fuel subsidies and unification of the foreign exchange market.

Bwala expressed surprise that Obi endorsed both policy decisions in principle, as reflected in his own campaign manifesto, yet criticized their implementation. “He played with words, yet ended up agreeing with us,” Bwala wrote, accusing Obi and other opposition leaders of being more interested in gaining political power than offering credible policy alternatives.

He also suggested that despite the favorable tone of the interview, Obi’s commentary revealed a limited grasp of governance and economic strategy.

During the interview, Obi stated that, if elected, he would have pursued similar reforms but with a more “systematic and organized” approach. He called for transparency regarding the reported billions saved from subsidy removal, asking the government to account for how those funds are being invested in critical sectors.

While Obi has yet to respond to Bwala’s remarks, his comments have reignited public debate over the Tinubu administration’s policy execution and economic transparency. The Presidency has not provided a detailed breakdown of the alleged savings as of press time.