Legal practitioner and political analyst, Maxwell Okpara, has criticised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s campaign remarks in Kaduna, accusing him of focusing on opposition parties rather than presenting concrete plans to address Nigeria’s worsening economic hardship.
Speaking on Arise News, Okpara expressed disappointment over the President’s remarks, arguing that Nigerians expected solutions to hunger, poverty and unemployment rather than political blame.
“Well, it’s rather unfortunate. Our president, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in his usual way, has gone to embarrass himself and embarrass his party and go along with establishing the facts that he lacks the capacity to rule this country as a president,” he said.
Okpara accused the administration of failing to communicate a clear development agenda, claiming that poverty had increased under its leadership.
“You don’t even have an agenda. You are now blaming the opposition party. I don’t know the opposition party you are blaming,” he stated.
He questioned why the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) continued to blame opposition parties despite being in power for years, arguing that Nigerians deserved measurable improvements in their living conditions.
“The blame game the immediate past president Buhari did for eight years, you will now use it for four years. You want us to give you another four years for you to still come back to tell us that why you failed is because of opposition,” Okpara said.
The lawyer further criticised the state of infrastructure in rural communities, recounting his experiences while campaigning in areas where residents allegedly lacked access to roads, schools and basic government services.
According to him, some communities had become so frustrated with political leaders that they threatened to reject politicians seeking their votes.
He maintained that elected representatives must ensure that public allocations reach communities and are used for development rather than merely making promises during election campaigns.
Turning to the next presidential election, Okpara declared his support for former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi, describing him as a better alternative to Tinubu and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
“Among all of them, Peter Obi has something to tell people. That is just the naked truth. I’m not saying it because I’m in his party,” he said.
“Do I say that Peter Obi is a saint? No. But where you have these three persons, among all of them, Peter Obi remains the best.”
Okpara defended Obi’s performance as Anambra State governor, dismissing criticisms attributed to the current governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo.
He argued that Obi’s record in public administration, business and financial management demonstrated his capacity to lead Nigeria.
Highlighting agriculture as a potential solution to Nigeria’s economic challenges, Okpara said the country possessed sufficient human and natural resources to reduce poverty and dependence on oil revenue.
“Peter Obi is now telling you that if you invest in agriculture, the money we’ll be making from Niger State, Taraba, and Benue State is enough to even do Nigerian budget without even oil,” he stated.
He also stressed that Nigerians should begin experiencing meaningful improvements within the first two years of any serious administration.
“If you’re a serious president in this country, two years is enough for us to start feeling the impact. We have the human resources. We have the financial resources. We have all it takes to make this country forward,” he said.
Okpara further alleged that corruption and the mismanagement of public resources had prevented Nigeria from achieving meaningful development.
He urged Nigerians to demand accountability and support leaders capable of improving infrastructure, creating opportunities and restoring public confidence in governance.
“Please, let Nigerians come and force these people out so that we can move this country forward, where everybody will enjoy,” he concluded.
