Obasanjo Slams Tinubu’s “Borrowing Is Not Leprosy” Remark as “Absolute Nonsense”

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has criticised President Bola Tinubu’s stance on borrowing. He called the president’s view “absolute nonsense”.

Obasanjo spoke on Friday in Abeokuta, Ogun State. He was at the Ajibosin Platform, a public forum on using artificial intelligence to solve grassroots problems and speed up national development.

He was reacting to remarks Tinubu made in April. The president said his government would keep borrowing whenever it had to. He insisted that borrowing should not be seen in a bad light.

Tinubu made the comments at the State House while meeting Plateau leaders. The delegation was led by Governor Caleb Mutfwang and the All Progressives Congress (APC) national chairman, Nentawe Yilwatda. “Borrowing is not leprosy,” the president said. He added that the country must work hard to repay what it borrows.

The exchange comes as public worry grows over Nigeria’s rising debt. Many Nigerians are also concerned about the share of national revenue now going to debt servicing.