Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has rejected President Bola Tinubu’s criticism of his record on erosion control in Anambra.
Tinubu had criticised Obi’s leadership record during an All
Progressives Congress (APC) rally in Uyo, Akwa Ibom state, over the weekend.
The president alleged that the former Anambra governor “ran
away from erosion” while contrasting his record with environmental projects
undertaken in Lagos.
However, speaking on Tuesday during an interview on Rhythm
FM Jos, ahead of the NDC town hall meeting in Plateau state, Obi described the
allegation as untrue.
The NDC presidential candidate said he worked with a former
minister of environment to develop the erosion-control programme in Anambra.
Obi said he had taken a proposal for the intervention to the
late former President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, who subsequently directed the
minister to develop it.
“On what the president said while campaigning in Akwa Ibom,
it’s not true. I, working with the former minister of environment, developed
what they’re using today to fight erosion,” he said.
“I went to President Yar’Adua, made a suggestion to him. He
called the minister and said he should go and develop it.”
Obi governed Anambra state from 2006 to 2014, a period
during which the state grappled with severe erosion challenges.
Tinubu had questioned Obi’s readiness for presidency at the
Uyo rally, citing erosion in Anambra as an example of his alleged failure in
office.
Obi said his visit to Plateau was part of an approach to
engage residents and understand their concerns before holding campaign rallies.
He said political candidates should listen to citizens’
problems and experiences and explain how they intend to address them.
Obi also identified insecurity in central Nigeria as a major
challenge, saying residents should be able to return to their communities, go
about their businesses and farm without fear.
He said his administration, if elected, would prioritise
public services, including education, healthcare and insurance coverage for
vulnerable people.
“Unless children go to school without fear, unless parents
go to farms without fear, we don’t have a country,” he said.
“You cannot stay in a developing country and a developing
world if you have poor health accessibility and poor education accessibility.
Education and health are the foundation for development. I will invest in
them.”
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