The All Progressives Congress (APC) has dismissed criticisms from Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, insisting that President Bola Tinubu’s administration has made undeniable economic progress.
In a statement on Wednesday, APC National Publicity Secretary Felix Morka rejected Obi’s claims of superior leadership, calling them “overdramatic” and politically desperate.
Obi, during an interview on Arise Television’s *Prime Time* program on Tuesday, had criticized Tinubu’s economic policies, arguing that he could have implemented them more effectively. He also suggested that the Labour Party’s internal crisis was fueled by the ruling government.
APC Highlights Tinubu’s Achievements
In response, Morka listed key achievements of Tinubu’s administration, including:
– Clearing a $7 billion foreign exchange backlog.
– Addressing over $30 billion in *Ways and Means liabilities.
– Reducing the country’s debt service ratio from 98% to approximately 64%.
– Increasing oil production to over 1.8 million barrels per day—surpassing OPEC’s 1.5 million barrels per day quota for the first time in years.
Morka criticized Obi’s economic arguments, describing them as weak and misleading.
“To be honest, it was painful to watch Mr. Obi struggle to piece together a sensible economic critique in the face of the administration’s undeniable progress,” Morka stated.
He also accused Obi of sensationalizing Nigeria’s economic challenges for political gain, portraying himself as frustrated and desperate on national television.
“Obi Is Living in an Election Hangover” – APC
Morka mocked Obi’s repeated claim that he would have performed better as president, comparing him to an unlicensed backseat driver fantasizing about being a race car driver.
“Opposition politics should not be about denying clear achievements. It should involve fair criticism where necessary while acknowledging progress. Nigerians can see the steady improvements across sectors under Tinubu’s leadership,” he added.
The APC insisted that Tinubu remains committed to good governance and economic stability.
Morka further dismissed Obi’s record as governor of Anambra State, calling his administration a failure marked by “economic stagnation, infrastructural decay, ecological mismanagement, and religious division.”
The political rivalry between Obi and the APC continues to heat up, with both sides holding firm on their contrasting views of Nigeria’s economic direction.
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