Hope you’ll visit 33 other states after Akwa Ibom ‘sleep’ — Obi tells Tinubu

The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Peter Obi, has challenged President Bola Tinubu to extend his visits to the remaining 33 states of the federation after spending a night in Akwa Ibom State, using the occasion to demand accountability for the resources entrusted to his government.

The challenge was made in a post on X on Saturday, following Tinubu’s visit to Akwa Ibom, where the President said his overnight stay would be a “second term presidential sleep” ahead of the 2027 election, ValidViewNetwork reports.

THE CHALLENGE

Obi was pointed in his remarks.”I congratulate you on spending a night in one of Nigeria’s states outside Lagos and Abuja. I hope you enjoyed the warmth, hospitality, and delicious cuisine of Akwa Ibom, which I am sure is even better than those of the destinations where you have spent over 260 days outside Nigeria since coming into office,” he said.

“I sincerely hope this visit will inspire you to travel to the remaining 33 states of the federation, spend time with the people and, more importantly, explain what your administration has done with the ₦15.8 trillion saved from the removal of fuel subsidy, the over $100 billion you have borrowed, the increased revenues accruing to the government from taxing Nigerians, and the additional government revenues which your administration celebrated last year as having surpassed its target.”

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THE DEMANDS

Obi also demanded explanations on the impact of government policies on poverty, education, healthcare and electricity.

He asked the President to state how many Nigerians had been lifted out of poverty, how many out-of-school children had returned to school and how many functional primary healthcare centres had been built.

Obi also questioned the improvement in electricity supply, recalling Tinubu’s earlier promise that Nigerians should not vote for him if his administration failed to fix the power sector.

On insecurity, he said Nigerians deserved an explanation of what the government had done to secure the country, which he noted still ranks among the world’s most terrorised countries.

“Mr President, Nigerians deserve answers. They deserve to know what has been done with the resources entrusted to your government,” Obi said.

He added that the New Nigeria he seeks to build would be founded on accountability, transparency and the measurable impact of public resources on citizens.

THE CONTEXT

Tinubu had on Friday told supporters at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo that he would spend the night in Akwa Ibom, describing it as a “second term presidential sleep” and expressing confidence in securing re-election in 2027.

“I will sleep in Akwa Ibom tonight. It’s going to be a second term presidential sleep. I will dream of victory too,” Tinubu said.

WHY IT MATTERS

Obi’s intervention is a direct challenge to the President’s record and his connection to the people.

By congratulating Tinubu for spending a night outside Lagos and Abuja, Obi is making a point about the President’s detachment from the states he governs.

By demanding accountability for the ₦15.8 trillion subsidy savings and the over $100 billion borrowed, he is framing the 2027 election as a referendum on transparency and stewardship.

For Tinubu, the challenge is uncomfortable. The President has visited Akwa Ibom. The question is whether he will visit the remaining 33 states, and whether he can answer the questions Obi has posed.

The challenge has been issued. The answers are pending. And Nigerians are watching. ValidViewNetwork reports.