TDF knocks Obi over World Bank’s economic outlook
0
0
TDF knocks Obi over World Bank’s economic outlook
By Alabidun Shuaib AbdulRahman
The Democratic Front, TDF has criticised the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC presidential candidate, Peter Obi, over his reported rejection of the World Bank’s economic growth outlook for Nigeria, accusing him of downplaying positive economic indicators for political reasons.
The group, in a statement signed by its Chairman, Danjuma Muhammad, and Secretary, Wale Adedayo, described Obi’s position as misleading, arguing that his assessment of the economy did not adequately reflect the indicators considered by the World Bank in its projections.
TDF alleged that the former Anambra State governor was quick to cite reports containing negative economic statistics but tended to dismiss positive assessments that did not align with his political position.
“We consider it spurious and misleading for a presidential candidate to dispute the World Bank economic outlook because it does not tally with his position,” the group stated.
READ ALSO: NITDA, NACCIMA Partner to Connect Startups With Investors, Corporate Buyers
It also cited the World Bank’s reported commitment of $500m to Nigeria as part of efforts to unlock $5.79bn in private financing, arguing that the investment demonstrated confidence in the country’s economic prospects.
The group maintained that the government’s economic policies and social intervention programmes were helping to address poverty and improve living conditions.
It listed the Nigeria Education Loan Fund, CREDICORP, loans facilitated through the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria and the Renewed Hope Housing initiative among the interventions it said were aimed at easing economic hardship.
TDF also cited the reported release of N758bn for the payment of outstanding pension liabilities, saying the measure would provide relief for affected pensioners.
The group, however, did not provide independent evidence in its statement to establish the extent to which the cited interventions had reduced poverty.
It further questioned Obi’s credibility, referring to his dispute with the Anambra State Government over public debt, his handling of ecological funds during his tenure as governor and his continued claim that he won the 2023 presidential election.
According to TDF, Obi’s reported admission during a BBC interview that he lacked evidence to substantiate his claim further raised questions about his credibility.
The group urged Nigerians to disregard what it described as the former governor’s distortion of economic realities, adding that his position raised concerns about his preparedness to manage the national economy.
It also defended President Bola Tinubu’s economic policies, insisting that the administration had taken steps to improve domestic production, address poverty and attract investment.
