The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has criticised President Bola Tinubu’s communication style, urging him to directly address Nigerians regarding the state of the nation.

Speaking on the state of the nation during an exclusive interview on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, Obi said Nigerians want to hear directly from Tinubu, whom they voted into office, rather than government aides.

He accused the President of relying on aides and spokesmen in explaining the administration’s policies to Nigerians.

“It’s not even ‘audio hope’ because the man we voted for isn’t even talking to us anymore,” he said.

“The person we voted for in this country is Bola Tinubu. He’s no longer talking to us; he’s gone into Aso Rock and turned it into a bunker,” Obi said. “We want him to come out of that bunker and speak to the people.”

He questioned the president’s communication style on matters of national importance, citing the controversy over the presidential Economic Advisory Council/Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PEAC/PFIPC).

The former governor also promised to prioritise agriculture, which he said will drive Nigeria from consumption to production.

“This country can produce enough of what we can eat, and we can actually make more money from agriculture than we make from oil because, as it is today, we have vast uncultivated land,” he said.

Obi said: “The only way to pull Nigeria out of poverty, or even genuinely grow GDP, is through production, not consumption. That production starts with agriculture, which gives you the food you need, raw materials for your factories, and jobs. That’s a win-win”.

According to him, Nigeria can become a major exporter of food commodities such as rice.

“Bangladesh today produces about 15 to 16 million tonnes of unmilled rice… they are now the third or fourth largest producer globally,” he said.

He argued that if Bangladesh could achieve such output despite its limited land area, Nigeria – with its vast arable land – could do even more.

According to him, fixing insecurity is key to achieving this.

Obi maintained that with secure farmlands, a revitalised manufacturing sector, affordable financing for businesses and consistent government support, Nigeria could build a productive economy capable of creating jobs, reducing poverty and competing in global export markets. (Channels)

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