Former Anambra State Governor and Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has said Nigeria would have accumulated significant wealth if successive leaders had protected public funds and allowed them to generate interest in banks.
Obi made the statement during a radio interview in Nasarawa State, where he spoke about public spending, accountability and his record in education.
The former governor argued that government funds could have generated substantial returns if they had been preserved in financial institutions rather than mismanaged or diverted.
He disclosed that funds under his administration were kept in three different banks, describing the decision as part of his approach to prudent management of public resources.
Obi also criticised what he described as a culture in which dishonest practices are tolerated while people who act with integrity are often subjected to criticism.
According to him, Nigeria’s development has been affected by the failure of public officials to adequately protect the country’s resources.
The NDC candidate also explained his administration’s approach to public projects, saying he did not prioritise ceremonies or extensive publicity because the projects were funded with public money and should be visible to citizens.
Obi further defended his record in basic education during his tenure as Anambra governor, saying the state recorded significant improvements in the sector.
He maintained that education remains an important measure of development and cited an assessment by Professor Paul Collier of the University of Oxford as evidence of the progress recorded during his administration.
