Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has renewed his call for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to resign, alleging that recent revelations of what he described as "grand corruption" have further weakened confidence in the current administration.
In a statement published on his official X account, Obi argued that the latest concerns surrounding public finance management reinforce his earlier position that the Tinubu administration has failed to uphold transparency, accountability, and effective governance.
The former Anambra State governor based his latest criticism on an International Monetary Fund (IMF) consultation report, which he said indicated that about ₦8.83 trillion in government expenditure for 2025 was allegedly not reflected in the approved federal budget.
According to Obi, such spending would have fallen outside normal legislative oversight and administrative scrutiny.
Describing the figure as alarming, Obi argued that the amount represents a significant share of Nigeria's economy and exceeds several key government spending allocations.
He maintained that if properly managed, the funds could have transformed critical sectors such as education, healthcare, infrastructure, and job creation.
"The grand corruption being revealed daily in this regime supports why the president should resign," Obi stated, insisting that the reported expenditure reflects deeper problems in public financial management and governance.
He further alleged that the reported spending was not an isolated incident but part of what he described as a recurring pattern of financial mismanagement.
According to Obi, continued disregard for due process in public finance poses risks to national stability and undermines public trust in government institutions.
The opposition leader argued that Nigeria's growing poverty, unemployment, and infrastructure challenges make prudent management of public resources more important than ever.
He said responsible governance requires every public expenditure to be transparent, properly appropriated, and fully accountable to the Nigerian people.
Obi's latest remarks build on an earlier statement issued in June, when he first called on President Tinubu to resign over what he described as worsening insecurity, economic hardship, and failure to fulfil campaign promises.
He now says the latest allegations concerning government finances have strengthened his position.
He also urged Nigerians to continue demanding greater accountability through lawful and democratic means, stressing that citizens have a responsibility to hold elected leaders accountable for the management of public resources.
The Presidency has previously rejected Obi's earlier resignation demand, describing it as politically motivated and maintaining that President Tinubu remains focused on implementing economic reforms and delivering on his administration's agenda.
Government officials have also defended the administration's economic policies and governance record.
The latest exchange highlights the increasingly sharp political debate ahead of the 2027 general election, with opposition parties intensifying scrutiny of the Federal Government's handling of the economy, public finances, and national development.
As discussions continue, the issues raised by Obi are likely to remain subjects of political and public debate.