Abuja, Nigeria – Former Anambra State governor and Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi condemns the reported use of ₦600 million in public funds to sponsor the wives of 21 Adamawa local government chairmen on a trip to Turkey. Obi described the expenditure, presented as “leadership training,” as a misuse of scarce resources and “a mockery of the very essence of governance.”
In a statement released on Saturday, Obi criticized the foreign trip as insensitive given Nigeria’s economic struggles and the dire state of education. He noted that while children remain out of school and teachers face poor conditions, funds were diverted to non-office holders. “It is disheartening that scarce resources are channeled into frivolities such as foreign trips for the wives of local government chairmen who have no public office, at an estimated cost of about ₦600 million in public funds,” he said.
Obi emphasized that the same amount could have been used to create tangible impact across Adamawa State. He suggested micro-credit support for women entrepreneurs, estimating that ₦100,000 loans could empower 6,000 women, or alternatively, the funds could construct 30 blocks of six classrooms, easing the educational crisis in rural communities.
The former governor acknowledged Governor Ahmadu Fintiri’s infrastructure investments in Yola but stressed that priorities must shift to education, healthcare, and poverty alleviation. “Basic education in particular cannot afford to lose such a huge amount. Over half a billion naira could have directly impacted the lives of countless children and communities,” he argued.
Obi further noted that local government revenues belong to the people and must serve public interest. “Local government funds belong to the market woman, the farmer, the teacher, the pensioner, and every ordinary Nigerian who depends on government for basic amenities. Anything short of that is an abuse of office and should not be condoned,” he added.
The criticism adds to a growing debate on governance accountability, with Obi reiterating his call for prudent, people-oriented leadership focused on Nigeria’s pressing social and economic needs.
