Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has faulted the Federal Government’s approval of ₦142 billion for bus terminals across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones. He described the decision as a clear case of misplaced priority in a country struggling with a fragile healthcare system.
Obi argued that the hallmark of responsible leadership lies in how scarce resources are allocated. He noted that the government continues to channel funds into non-critical projects while neglecting healthcare, one of the most essential drivers of national development.
“The difference between the success and failure of any nation lies in how it prioritises scarce resources,” Obi said.
He added that spending ₦142bn on bus terminals “underscores the lack of competence, focus, and leadership.”
Comparing the decision to healthcare allocations in the 2024 federal budget, Obi revealed that the combined provision for all federal teaching hospitals and psychiatric centres is less than ₦100bn significantly lower than what was approved for the terminals.
“In the 2024 budget, the entire allocation to teaching hospitals across federal universities and psychiatric centres is under ₦100 billion. Yet the government approved ₦142 billion for bus terminals,” he stressed.
The former governor expressed worry that the decision comes as Nigeria faces a worsening health crisis. He cited a World Health Organization (WHO) report showing that over 20 million Nigerians live with mental health conditions.
“This is disturbing,” Obi said. “Health remains one of the most critical areas of development, yet it continues to be grossly underfunded.”
Obi concluded that a government that fails to prioritise the health and well-being of its people cannot be said to govern responsibly.
“This is not only a misplaced priority but a tragic irony,” he declared. “This is not governance.”
