- Peter Obi has criticised Nigeria’s cost of governance, stating that paying unproductive staff is a form of corruption. Speaking in Enugu, he highlighted steps he took as governor to cut wasteful spending.
- Obi also took aim at the existence of certain government offices he believes are not essential, including the office of the First Lady at the state level.
- He further highlighted what he described as excessive entourage culture among public officials.
Former Anambra State governor and presidential aspirant Peter Obi has criticised the high cost of governance in Nigeria, describing it as a major contributor to corruption.
Obi made the remarks while speaking at the fourth public lecture of Coal City University, held in Enugu State.
Drawing from his experience in office, the former governor explained how he reduced government spending by eliminating unnecessary structures and personnel.
“When I became a governor, the cost of running my office was equivalent to the cost of running a Ministry of Education office,” he said.
He further highlighted what he described as excessive entourage culture among public officials.
“As a governor, if you want to travel to Abuja, about 30 people will follow you, people who have nothing to do with where I am going. I had to cut everything off,” Obi stated.
Obi also took aim at the existence of certain government offices he believes are not essential, including the office of the First Lady at the state level.
“A governor also has an office of the First Lady, who nobody voted for. Inside that office, we have SA to the First Lady and other roles. I had to cut off the whole structure,” he added.
According to him, corruption should not be viewed only as the embezzlement of public funds but also as wasteful spending on non-productive roles.
“When people talk about cørruption, they think it is only about ste@ling public money, but they forget that paying people who are not productive is also part of cørrûption,” Obi said.
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