Political commentator and former presidential aide, Reno Omokri, has accused Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, of spreading misleading information about Nigeria’s debt profile—a move he claims is driving away foreign investors.
Speaking during an appearance on Channels Television on Wednesday, July 9, Omokri argued that Obi’s repeated criticism of the current administration’s borrowing practices is not only inaccurate but also damaging to Nigeria’s international reputation.
“He doesn’t rile me up. I rile him up,” Omokri said. “I’m here because I’m a patriot. Peter Obi lied. Foreign investors watch these programs and make decisions based on what they hear. Some are deciding against coming to Nigeria or even planning to leave because of the lies he told.”
Omokri took particular issue with Obi’s claim that President Bola Tinubu had borrowed more than all three of his predecessors—Presidents Yar’Adua, Jonathan, and Buhari—combined, dismissing the statement as “a blatant lie.”
Referencing data from Nigeria’s Debt Management Office (DMO), Omokri stated that under Tinubu’s leadership, the country’s external debt has actually decreased.
“In 2015, Nigeria’s debt was $63 billion. When Buhari left office, it had risen to $113 billion. According to the DMO, as of today, the figure is $97 billion. That’s a reduction of over $14 billion under President Tinubu,” he asserted.
He also criticized Obi for presenting the debt figures in naira, claiming it was a deliberate move to inflate the numbers and mislead the public.
“We should be appreciating Tinubu for this reduction, not spreading falsehoods,” Omokri added.
The exchange adds to the ongoing political friction between both men, who remain vocal figures in Nigeria’s evolving political landscape.
