How I cut cost as governor — Peter Obi
Former Anambra Governor Peter Obi Discusses Cost Cuts in Governance
Peter Obi, the Nigeria Democratic Congress presidential candidate for the 2027 elections, highlighted his approach to reducing government expenses during his tenure as governor of Anambra State. Speaking in Washington, D.C., on Monday, Obi outlined measures he took to minimize costs, which he attributes to his governance philosophy.
Obi emphasized the importance of fiscal responsibility, stating that he intentionally avoided unnecessary expenditures and traveled with a smaller entourage than is typical for public officials. He noted that he successfully completed office renovations for a fraction of the budgeted amounts.
“For instance, the budget for refurbishing my office was N298 million, but I achieved the work for N48 million. Similarly, a budget of N486 million for renovating my residence was completed at a cost of N81 million,” Obi said.
The former governor also addressed his approach to official travel. He described how he opted not to travel with the large delegations that often accompany governors. “During my time in office, I used only 16 percent of my travel allowance because I traveled alone,” he explained, stressing that many individuals who typically accompany governors were not invited on his trips.
Obi reiterated that he believes Nigeria’s limited resources should focus on sectors that directly enhance the living conditions of citizens.
