Peter Obi blasts wasteful governance, calls for major cost-cutting in government
Former Anambra State governor and presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has once again spoken strongly against what he describes as excessive and wasteful spending in Nigeria’s public sector.
Speaking at a public lecture in Enugu, Obi argued that corruption is not only about stealing public funds, but also includes maintaining unproductive government structures and paying staff who add little or no value to governance.
He explained that during his time as governor, he deliberately reduced the cost of running government by cutting unnecessary expenses, limiting large entourages during official trips, and streamlining administrative structures. According to him, some government offices and roles were removed because they did not directly contribute to public service delivery.
Obi also criticised what he described as the “entourage culture” among public officials, where large numbers of aides and staff accompany leaders on official duties without clear responsibilities. He maintained that such practices place unnecessary financial burden on taxpayers.
He further questioned the existence of certain political offices at state level, including the Office of the First Lady, arguing that public funds should be focused strictly on productive governance rather than maintaining expanded political structures.
His comments have reignited public debate on the cost of governance in Nigeria, with supporters praising his stance on accountability and critics arguing that government structures vary in function and necessity.
