In an interview with Arise News from 8:22, Ibrahim Abdulkareem, Director General of the BIG TENT, reflected on Peter Obi’s pragmatic approach to governance, suggesting that his presidency would address pressing issues like infrastructure deficits and economic inequalities. Abdulkareem noted Obi’s attentiveness to detail during his visits to northern states, highlighting his ability to connect policies to real-world issues.
Abdulkareem recalled a road trip with Obi from Kano to Jigawa, emphasizing the dilapidated state of the road and the resulting impact on workers commuting between the two states. He contrasted this with the proposal for a costly coastal road, arguing that Obi would prioritize fixing critical infrastructure before embarking on new projects. He praised Obi’s ability to gather firsthand observations, demonstrating a governance style rooted in data and real-life challenges.
“If Peter Obi is the President today, we won’t be arguing about this tax bill because the North is going to be producing, and things are going to be captured. He’s a person who’s very good in talking numbers. He has been moving around. We went from Kano to Jigawa with him some few months ago, and then when we were going on the road, one end of the road has been abandoned, and at the other end, there’s a lot of potholes.
“We discussed that instead of us taking away 16 trillion and building a new coastal road somewhere, we could fix just Kano to Jigawa, where a lot of workers stay in Kano and work in Jigawa. That road is needed. He’s not just moving around; he’s trying to take in the observation of what’s happening,” Abdulkareem concluded.