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Nigeria Records Highest Debt-to-GDP Ratio in History Amid Alarming Borrowing Surge-Obi

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Labour party 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi

 

Former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi has voiced strong concerns over Nigeria’s escalating public debt, following recent approvals by the National Assembly for massive external loans and domestic bond issuances. Obi made this known on his verified Facebook page in a detailed post addressing the fiscal implications and the broader socio-economic effects of Nigeria’s borrowing practices.

Senate Approves Massive Loans for 2025–2026 Fiscal Year
On July 22, 2025, the Nigerian Senate approved an additional $21 billion, €2.2 billion, and ¥15 billion in external borrowings for the 2025–2026 fiscal cycle. It also greenlit a N750.98 billion domestic bond issuance and a €65 million grant. According to Obi, with the nation’s public debt already at N149.39 trillion in Q1 2025, the new borrowings will spike the total debt to approximately N187 trillion, with projections suggesting it could exceed N200 trillion by year-end. (Source: Peter Obi, via Facebook post)

Nigeria’s Debt-to-GDP Ratio Hits Historic High

Obi highlighted that before the GDP rebasing, which placed the nation’s GDP at N269.2 trillion (roughly $180 billion), the total borrowing represented nearly 70% of the GDP. Even after the rebasing to N372.8 trillion (around $243.7 billion), the debt-to-GDP ratio remains at a staggering 50.16%—the highest in Nigeria’s history. (Source: Peter Obi)

Public Debt Soars With Little Tangible Impact

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Despite a year-on-year debt increase of N27.72 trillion and a quarter-on-quarter spike of N4.72 trillion, Obi lamented the lack of significant improvements in critical sectors. He pointed to stagnation in education, healthcare, electricity generation, and national security.

Human Development Indicators Still Alarmingly Low

Obi decried Nigeria’s poor rankings across major development indicators. Education funding continues to decline, healthcare remains out of reach for millions, and security has worsened. He cited figures of 10,217 lives lost and 672 villages destroyed between May 2023 and May 2025, despite increased security spending from N2.98 trillion in 2023 to N4.91 trillion in 2025. Infrastructure is similarly affected, with 135,000km of the country’s 195,000km road network remaining unusable.

Soaring Poverty and Child Deaths Amid Government Inaction

Over two years into the current administration, Obi noted that poverty continues to deepen. Approximately 133 million Nigerians are considered multi-dimensionally poor, while 652 children have died due to worsening malnutrition in the north. These statistics were compounded by a recent alert from Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), flagging Katsina as one of the hardest-hit areas. (Source: Peter Obi / MSF)

Leadership Failures Highlighted in Debt Management

Obi criticized the government’s lack of transparency and accountability in managing borrowed funds. He argued that the absence of impactful investment and policy direction has led to generational consequences for Nigeria’s youth. (Source: Peter Obi)

Call for Economic Discipline and Inclusive Growth

The former candidate advocated a return to disciplined and prudent economic policies. He urged leaders to cut governance costs, block financial leakages, and invest in human capital to build a truly productive economy.

Vision for a New Nigeria
In closing, Obi called for responsible leadership and people-centered development. He emphasized that every borrowed kobo must be tied to measurable impacts that foster sustainable growth. Echoing his signature campaign message, he concluded: “A new Nigeria is Possible.”

 

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NNPP Crisis:High Court Affirms Abiya as Acting Kano Chairman

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As Court Fixes January 19 for Hearing of Case Filed by Dawakin Tofa Exco Against Former Chairman

The Kano State High Court has affirmed Hon. Abdullahi Zubairu Abiya as the Acting State Chairman of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) in Kano State.

In the ruling, the court also upheld the suspension of the former State Chairman, Hashimu Dungurawa, and restrained him from interfering in the affairs of the party pending the determination of the substantive suit.

The interim order followed a motion ex-parte dated December 30, 2025, filed by members of the NNPP from Gargari Ward, Dawakin Tofa Local Government Area, seeking the court’s intervention over the leadership crisis in the party.

Justice Zuwaira Yusuf of High Court No. 13, Miller Road, Kano, delivered the ruling in an interim order.

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The applicants urged the court to uphold the disciplinary process that led to the suspension of Dungurawa by his ward executive over allegations of denigrating the office and person of Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, creating division within the party, and failure to pay party dues.

The court further fixed January 19 for the hearing of the substantive case filed by the Dawakin Tofa Local Government Executive Committee of the NNPP against the former chairman.

In the suit marked KN/1218/2026, the court restrained Dungurawa from parading himself as the NNPP State Chairman or interfering with party affairs pending the hearing and determination of the substantive motion.

The suit was instituted by Abdullahi Ali Uban Iya, Shuaibu Hassan, and Auwal Sani Abubakar.

Justice Yusuf also ordered that the suspension of the former chairman effected on December 30, 2025, be maintained, while directing that all court processes be duly served on the respondents.

The court further ordered parties to maintain the status quo ante as it existed after December 30, 2025, pending the determination of the case.

The court’s decision effectively maintains the status quo within the party leadership in Kano State until the determination of the case.

Meanwhile, the NNPP State Executive Committee has endorsed the emergence of Hon. Abdullahi Zubairu Abiya as Acting State Chairman following the suspension of Hashimu Dungurawa.

The endorsement was made during an emergency meeting of the party’s state executive held at the NNPP secretariat in Kano.

The decision was announced by the party’s Assistant Legal Adviser, Barrister Yusuf Mukhtar, who said Abiya’s emergence was in line with the provisions of the NNPP Constitution with the State Hight has affirmed today by the experte order.

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Call for Governor Yusuf to Join APC, a Welcome Development – Inuwa Waya

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The All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain and elder statesman, Mallam Inuwa Waya, has said that His Excellency, Governor Abba Kabir Yusif is an Excellent performer who received awards for good governance in improving education, agriculture, press freedom, accountability, infrastructure and urban beautification. He is therefore an asset to any political party.

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Mallam Inuwa Waya stated that the call for the governor to join the APC is a welcome development that would usher in a new era of reforms devoid of political chicanery, which is necessary for the survival of the APC in Kano State.

The elder statesman further stated that Governor Abba Kabir Yusif will bring his unique style of political sagacity necessary for internal democracy and cooperation among leaders and followers.

 

Inuwa Waya urged APC stakeholders to put aside personal ambition and support His Excellency Engineer Abba Kabir Yusif. As the Governor of Kano State, he is the undisputed leader of the party. Everyone must show loyalty and willingness to work with him for the greater good of the greatest number.

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Zaura Empowers 5,000 PWDs Across Kano”

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Over 5,000 persons living with disabilities (PWDs) from all 44 local government areas of Kano State have received support through a wide-reaching empowerment program spearheaded by Abdussalam Abubakar Zaura known as A.A. Zaura.

The beneficiaries converged in Kano metropolis, where the empowerment forms were officially distributed.

Speaking at the event on behalf of AA Zaura, Alhaji Ado Abdullahi Zaura said the initiative was designed to discourage street begging and promote self-reliance among PWDs across the state.

He added that program was designed to enhance economic inclusion and improve the quality of life for marginalized communities across the state

He noted that the gesture was part of a broader commitment to support vulnerable groups and integrate them into productive economic activities.

Alhaji Ado, a former Deputy Chairman of Ungoggo Local Government Area, emphasized that years of neglect and lack of adequate support from both government and well-meaning individuals had pushed many PWDs into street begging.

He stressed that the empowerment programme aims to reverse that trend by providing sustainable means of livelihood.
According to him, AA Zaura resolved to come to the aid of PWDs by offering various empowerment opportunities, including start up capital for small-scale businesses, sewing machines, scholarships, and other forms of assistance tailored to individual needs and interests, including education.

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He further disclosed the introduction of a new initiative tagged “AA Zaura Aqidah Programme,” under which 27 participants will be selected from each ward across the state to benefit from further empowerment, with special focus on youths.

Also speaking at the event, Garba Nuhu Darki, former member of the Kano State House of Assembly representing Wudil Constituency and Director-General, Political Contact and Mobilization of the AA Zaura Movement, described the large turnout of PWDs as a clear indication of AA Zaura’s vision and leadership direction.

“To me, the gathering I witnessed today reflects the direction of AA Zaura’s ambition, especially considering that this empowerment programme is exclusively for persons living with disabilities,” he said.

He urged beneficiaries to make judicious use of the support provided and to continue supporting the movement in order to achieve its broader political aspirations.

Earlier, Chief Protocol of the movement, Abubakar Yawale (popularly known as Baba Yawale), said PWDs occupy a special place in the heart of AA Zaura, adding that for over 20 years, AA Zaura has consistently supported persons with disabilities to enhance their wellbeing and productivity in society.

In his remarks, Isa PA assured the beneficiaries that more empowerment programmes were underway.

He revealed plans to procure hearing aids for persons with hearing impairments, walking sticks for the visually impaired, and electric wheelchairs for physically challenged persons. He, however, encouraged beneficiaries to ensure they obtained their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).

In her remarks, Hajiya Maimuna Shitu, popularly known as Uwar Marayu, commended A.A. Zaura for his initiatives aimed at enhancing the lives of persons with disabilities and, by extension, orphans.

She urged the beneficiaries to rally behind Zaura’s vision of advancing the socio-economic welfare of the populace.

Hajiya Maimuna noted that all his efforts in capacity building and economic empowerment have been carried out independently, without external assistance.

She highlighted that Zaura has been funding these initiatives from his personal resources, acting in his capacity as a businessman rather than a government official.

Some of the beneficiaries expressed their happiness for the gesture and affirmed their loyalty to AA Zaura.

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