Former presidential candidate Peter Obi has come out swinging against President Bola Tinubu in what is arguably one of his most pointed criticisms yet. In a statement that immediately stirred social media and political circles, Obi accused the Tinubu administration of “overfeeding Nigerians with wrong statistics,” painting a fake picture of economic progress while ordinary citizens continue to battle with hunger, inflation, and uncertainty.
Obi made the explosive remark via his verified X account on July 28, calling out what he believes is a deliberate effort by the government to deceive the public with distorted unemployment, inflation, and GDP figures. According to him, the rebasing of economic indicators is not solving Nigeria’s worsening living conditions but instead creating a false sense of stability. “President Tinubu is now overfeeding Nigerians with wrong statistics from wrong unemployment figures, wrong inflation figures, and now GDP rebasing,” Obi wrote. “All to put a positive spin on our deteriorating economic and household conditions.”
The statement quickly went viral, not just because of the sharp tone, but also due to its timing. Obi’s remarks come amid growing discontent across the country, as Nigerians continue to face skyrocketing food prices, weak currency, high unemployment, and a general sense of hopelessness. While the federal government insists that reforms are underway and that inflation is being tackled, millions of Nigerians are still struggling to afford even the basics.
Obi didn’t stop at numbers. He took a swipe at Tinubu’s campaign slogan where the president once told Nigerians, “Na statistics we go chop?” Obi said that irony has caught up with that statement, as Nigeria is now one of the hungriest nations in the world, with millions not knowing where their next meal will come from. He pointed out that what Nigerians need is not massaged data, but practical, life-improving solutions.
This isn’t Obi’s first time dragging the Tinubu-led government over its handling of the economy. In 2024, he called out the administration for “feasting while the people are fasting,” a jab at government officials living large while citizens were queuing for food aid. That same year, several stampedes were reported at food distribution points, leading to deaths and injuries. Obi described the tragedies as a sign of a broken system where even survival has become a daily gamble.
His latest criticism also adds fuel to the already burning 2027 election conversations. As Nigerians begin to weigh their options ahead of the next polls, Obi has been increasingly vocal about the need for leadership that puts citizens first. Although he has denied that his statements are motivated by personal ambition, his presence on the political scene remains strong. There have also been whispers of a possible alliance between Obi and other opposition figures like Atiku Abubakar, although he insists that any coalition must focus on ending poverty, hunger, and corruption rather than just winning power.
Reactions to Obi’s statement have been mixed. Supporters hailed him as a voice of truth in a time of confusion, while Tinubu’s defenders accused him of political grandstanding. Some pointed out that Obi himself had not been entirely clear about how he would handle the economy differently, while others argued that it was refreshing to see someone challenge the official narrative so openly.
As things stand, the war of words between Peter Obi and Bola Tinubu is far from over. But for the average Nigerian, the real concern isn’t who wins the verbal exchange, it’s whether or not their lives will get any better. And if Obi’s warning is anything to go by, facts may be more dangerous than lies when they’re used to cover up pain.
In a country where people are dying for food and hope seems far away, statistics won’t feed the people. Action will.
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