The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has hit back at Peter Obi, the former Governor of Anambra State and the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections, after he criticized President Bola Tinubu’s economic policies during an interview on Arise Television on Tuesday.
Obi, in the interview, claimed that the Tinubu administration had underperformed in implementing key economic reforms and suggested that he would have done better in steering the nation’s economic course. However, the APC’s National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, swiftly rebutted these claims in a press statement released on April 2, 2025.
According to Morka, it was “painful to watch” Obi’s attempt to challenge the progress made under President Tinubu’s leadership, accusing the former governor of desperately grasping for critical economic arguments that simply did not exist in light of the administration’s undeniable success.
“The steady progress of the Tinubu administration across sectors is undeniable and evident for all Nigerians to see,” Morka stated. He added that Obi’s attempts to sensationalize transient difficulties faced by Nigerians were nothing more than politically motivated attempts to score cheap points.
Morka took particular issue with Obi’s repeated refrain, “I would have done better as president,” describing it as a symptom of “a protracted bout of election failure-induced hangover.”
The APC spokesperson emphasized that opposition politics should involve constructive critique, not blanket condemnation aimed at undermining the administration’s achievements.
The statement further criticized Obi’s record as governor of Anambra, calling his tenure one of “economic stagnation, infrastructural decay, ecological disaster, and religious polarization.” The APC argued that Obi’s record in Anambra was far from one that could be used to justify his criticism of Tinubu’s performance.
In stark contrast, the APC highlighted several accomplishments under President Tinubu, including a rebounding economy, a steady growth forecast of 3.6 percent for the fiscal year, a strengthened foreign reserve, and a stabilized forex market. The administration has also made significant strides in the oil sector, surpassing OPEC quotas with oil production exceeding 1.8 million barrels per day, and addressing longstanding economic challenges such as the $7 billion forex backlog.
Morka pointed to several key reforms including the reduction of the Ways and Means debt from over $30 billion to more manageable levels, the successful harmonization of exchange rates, and the revitalization of the nation’s stock exchange market, which has become one of the most profitable in the world.
The statement concluded by reaffirming President Tinubu’s commitment to improving governance and the overall economic well-being of Nigerians, stressing that he remains undistracted by opposition criticism.
“While global institutions and experts are applauding the unfolding economic revolution led by President Tinubu, Obi and his opposition cohorts continue to deny the reality of his successes,” Morka said. “President Tinubu remains focused on securing good governance and a brighter future for all Nigerians.”