Obi says he won’t buy Jet of #150B when healthcare collapses

DDM NEWS

Obi

Peter Obi, former Governor of Anambra State and presidential candidate, has expressed strong opposition to the proposed purchase of a ₦150 billion presidential jet, citing the deplorable state of Nigeria’s healthcare system.

According to him, “I will not use ₦150 billion to buy a jet when 80% of our primary health care centers are not functioning.

Obi’s concerns about the healthcare system are rooted in stark realities.

Over 70% of Nigeria’s primary healthcare centers are either non-functional or severely under-equipped, leading to significant challenges in healthcare delivery.

The country also faces a critical shortage of medical personnel, with a doctor-to-patient ratio that meets only 10% of the global standard.

This situation contributes to preventable diseases, maternal deaths, and a general decline in public health.

Obi advocates for fiscal discipline and people-focused budgeting, emphasizing the need to prioritize essential services like healthcare over luxury expenditures.

He believes that borrowed funds, including over $11 billion from the World Bank for healthcare and medical education, should be utilized effectively to improve the healthcare sector rather than mismanaged .

Despite criticizing the current state of healthcare, Obi has shown commitment to improving the sector.

In February 2025, he donated ₦10 million to Mater Misericordiae College of Nursing Sciences in Ebonyi State to support infrastructural upgrades and enhance healthcare training.

This gesture underscores his emphasis on investing in human capital through healthcare and education .

Obi also drew comparisons with other countries, noting that South Africa, with a significantly smaller population, allocated more than twice Nigeria’s healthcare spending between 2021 and 2025.

Similarly, India, despite having seven times Nigeria’s population, has achieved about 80% of the recommended doctor-to-population ratio, highlighting the potential for better health sector planning in Nigeria.

Peter Obi’s statement on the presidential jet purchase reflects a broader concern about governance priorities in Nigeria.

By highlighting the healthcare system’s failures and advocating for prudent governance, Obi aims to shift the focus toward sectors that directly impact ordinary Nigerians’ lives.

His stance has sparked discussions on the need for improved healthcare delivery and responsible governance in the country.

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