Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has questioned the effectiveness of Nigeria’s economic reforms, arguing that policies cannot be considered successful if citizens are not experiencing improvements in their living conditions.

Obi made the statement during a live TikTok interview on the Emir Sirdam Show, where he discussed the impact of government policies on households, workers and businesses.

“Reforms are about the people,” Obi said. “If the people are not feeling the positive impact of the reforms, then it is not working.”

The former Anambra State governor’s comments come amid continuing concerns about the cost of living, including elevated fuel prices, food inflation and pressure on household incomes.

He argued that economic policies should ultimately improve the welfare of citizens rather than leave them struggling to afford basic necessities.

Peter Obi
Peter Obi
Obi questioned the emphasis on long-term benefits when many Nigerians continue to face immediate financial difficulties.

He maintained that governments should assess reforms by examining their effects on purchasing power, employment, business activity and access to essential goods and services.

He advocated an economic approach that places greater emphasis on production, agricultural investment and support for small businesses. According to Obi, policies that enable businesses to expand and create jobs would provide a more sustainable foundation for economic growth than measures that leave households facing higher costs without corresponding improvements in income.

Obi urged policymakers to reassess their strategies where the intended benefits of reforms were not reaching the population. He said the success of economic management should be determined by whether people were experiencing meaningful improvements in their daily lives.