Abuja — Former Anambra State Governor and 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, has criticized the Federal Government’s approval of ₦142 billion for the construction of bus terminals across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, describing the move as another evidence of misplaced priority.
In a statement shared on his official Facebook page, Obi questioned the government’s sense of judgment in resource allocation, noting that in the 2024 budget currently in operation, the combined allocation for all federal teaching hospitals and psychiatric centres nationwide is under ₦100 billion.
“The difference between the success and failure of development in any nation is how you prioritise your scarce resources,” Obi wrote. “The recent announcement that ₦142 billion has been approved for bus terminals further affirms the lack of competence, lack of focus and poor leadership.”
The former presidential candidate expressed concern that health, one of the most critical sectors in national development, remains grossly underfunded while government spends more on non-essential projects.
“This is disturbing,” he added. “WHO recently reported that over 20 million Nigerians are living with mental health issues, yet the government prioritises bus terminals over hospitals. This is not only a misplaced priority but a tragic irony of our country. This is not governance. A New Nigeria is POssible.”
Obi’s comment has further fueled ongoing public debate on government spending priorities, with many Nigerians echoing his concerns over the need to strengthen health and education before embarking on new infrastructure projects.
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