Former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi has condemned the Federal Government’s approval of a $9 million contract for lobbying services in the United States, calling it a national disgrace.
In a statement posted on his verified X handle on Friday, Obi said the expenditure reflects a pattern of waste and mismanagement by Nigerian leaders. “It is both tragic and concerning that Nigerian leaders continue to prioritize waste, corruption, propaganda, and negative development over positive initiatives,” he wrote.
Obi noted that the $9 million, reportedly spent on Washington-based lobbyists, represents only a fraction of broader government waste. He argued that such spending underscores the country’s ongoing developmental challenges, particularly in relation to the Human Development Index (HDI).
“Nigeria has remained stagnant in the low HDI category for 35 years, from 1990 to 2025,” Obi said. He contrasted Nigeria’s trajectory with countries like China and Indonesia, which have improved their HDI rankings over the same period, attributing their progress to deliberate leadership choices and prioritization of development goals.
Obi highlighted the misalignment between government spending and national needs, emphasizing that the $9 million could have been redirected to critical sectors. “Instead of investing in life-saving systems, we spend millions trying to obscure our failures,” he said, citing Nigeria’s low life expectancy and high maternal mortality as evidence of systemic neglect.
He further explained that the funds could have supported essential healthcare infrastructure, such as hospital equipment or capital projects for major teaching hospitals across the country. According to Obi, such investments would directly improve survival rates, healthcare quality, and overall life expectancy.
“This $9 million is sufficient to fund the entire 2024 capital budget for at least one major teaching hospital in each zone,” Obi said. “The funds exist; what is lacking are prioritization, discipline, and effective leadership.”
Obi’s statement underscores ongoing debates over government expenditure priorities and raises questions about resource allocation in Nigeria’s public sector.
