By Obinna Uballa
A former Governor of Anambra State and the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr Peter Obi has strongly criticized the Federal Government’s decision to allocate N142 billion for the construction of bus terminals across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, calling it a glaring example of misplaced priorities and poor leadership.
In a statement issued on Friday, Obi said he was surprised over the approval of such a significant sum for bus terminals while critical sectors like healthcare remain severely underfunded.
He highlighted that the 2024 budget allocates less than N100 billion to all teaching hospitals, federal universities, and psychiatric centers combined, despite the dire state of healthcare in the country.
“The difference between the success and failure of development in any nation is how you prioritize your scarce resources,” Obi stated. “This approval of N142 billion for bus terminals, when healthcare is deteriorating and grossly underfunded, is not only a misplaced priority but a tragic irony of our country.”
Obi pointed to a recent World Health Organization (WHO) report indicating that over 20 million Nigerians are grappling with mental health challenges, underscoring the urgent need for investment in healthcare infrastructure.
He described the government’s focus on bus terminals as evidence of “lack of competence, lack of focus, and poor leadership.”
Obi called for a reevaluation of national priorities, asserting, “This is not governance. A New Nigeria is Possible.”
