“We Can’t Run a Country on Vibes” – Rufai Oseni Knocks Peter Obi Over Lack of Clear Policy Details

“We Can’t Run a Country on Vibes” – Rufai Oseni Knocks Peter Obi Over Lack of Clear Policy Details

Arise Television presenter Rufai Oseni has criticised NDC presidential candidate Peter Obi’s recent television appearance, saying the former Anambra governor failed to clearly explain how he would implement his campaign promises if elected in 2027. Speaking on Monday during the Arise Television Morning Show, Oseni said presidential hopefuls must move beyond broad promises and begin presenting detailed policy frameworks and practical strategies for solving Nigeria’s problems.

Referring to Obi’s interview on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, Oseni said candidates have a responsibility to show Nigerians how they plan to address the country’s challenges. “And that’s what I did not see yesterday. I didn’t see the how. We can’t run a country on vibes,” Oseni said. He argued that with the 2027 election drawing closer, Nigerians should already have access to comprehensive manifestos and well-articulated plans from candidates seeking the country’s highest office. “By now, if elections are in January, we are now in August, we have not seen manifesto. Six months to go. Secondly, we are not seeing proper articulation of how you will do it,” he said. “In fact, I think all candidates should stop telling us I will do this. They should start telling us how. We should see an idea. It’s the idea that we want to debate, the workability of the idea, and that I didn’t see. I didn’t see a lot of that,” Oseni added.

The broadcaster also questioned the repeated campaign promise of ending insecurity without explaining the strategy behind it. According to him, candidates should provide clear methodologies instead of withholding broad policy explanations under the excuse of protecting operational details. “We will fix insecurity. How? And please, people should stop telling us ‘I don’t want to share my operational details’. Nobody say you should share your operational details, because as a candidate, you can’t have operational details. Operational details are specific to operations, hence the name operational details. Nobody say you should share that. What we are saying is overarching details, methodology, how you are going to do it. That’s just it,” he said.

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Oseni further stated that he expected candidates to explain their technical plans for key sectors, particularly electricity, rather than making general promises. “I mean, these are things as regards technicality and methodology. These are the things I want to hear from our candidates. Power sector, what would you do as regards them about creating thousands of megawatts? Major problem in the power sector today is transmission. We have 13,000 installed capacity, but why are we not seeing more than 5000 megawatts capacity for transmission? Are you going to put investment there? Are you going to raise the equity for the investment? I mean, those are paramount questions. So please, we want to see more of those details,” Oseni said.

Oseni’s remarks came a day after Obi appeared on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, where he outlined his vision for Nigeria in a two-hour wide-ranging interview. The NDC presidential candidate promised to personally lead the fight against insecurity, build a production-driven economy, reduce the cost of governance, strengthen anti-corruption efforts, and serve only one four-year term if elected president.

On security, Obi faulted the current approach to combating insecurity, insisting that Nigeria requires more committed and visible leadership. He said unlike the present arrangement, he would personally coordinate the country’s response to insecurity, regularly visit troubled communities, and ensure that security agencies receive adequate equipment, funding, and operational support. “I will personally lead the fight against insecurity. I will be visible, engaged and directly involved. I will visit affected communities and ensure that our security architecture is properly equipped, adequately funded, and fully supported,” Obi stated. According to him, poverty remains the biggest driver of insecurity, and lasting peace cannot be achieved without massive investments in education, job creation, and economic opportunities for young Nigerians. “You cannot create widespread poverty and expect peace. The more people are pushed into poverty, the greater the insecurity. Education and job creation remain the most sustainable solutions,” he said.
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On the economy, Obi said his administration would abandon what he described as a consumption-driven model and replace it with a production-based economy anchored on agriculture, manufacturing, and support for small businesses. “Nigeria must move from consumption to production. Agriculture alone can generate more revenue than crude oil if properly developed. We have enough arable land not only to feed ourselves but also to become a major exporter,” he said. He maintained that Nigeria possessed sufficient human and natural resources to become a major global producer of agricultural commodities if appropriate policies were implemented. He added that government under his leadership would prioritise support for farmers and manufacturers, improve access to affordable credit, and create an enabling environment for businesses to thrive.

Obi also criticised the implementation of the fuel subsidy removal policy, saying although he supports ending the subsidy regime, the process should have been gradual, transparent, and accompanied by clear communication with Nigerians. “The problem is not simply removing subsidy. Government must explain to Nigerians what is being saved and where those savings are being invested. Economic reforms must translate into improved living conditions for ordinary citizens,” Obi was quoted as saying. He maintained that while some macroeconomic indicators might have improved, the benefits had not reached average Nigerians. “Many macroeconomic indicators may appear positive, but ordinary Nigerians are not feeling the impact. Poverty has increased, government revenue has grown, borrowing has continued and citizens have endured severe hardship without corresponding benefits,” he stated.

The former Anambra governor also said economic reforms would only succeed if government demonstrated equal determination in tackling graft. He called for greater transparency in public finance, insisting that Nigerians deserve detailed explanations whenever government grants waivers, incurs major expenditure, or makes significant financial decisions. “If government can implement painful economic reforms with determination, it should demonstrate the same resolve in fighting corruption. Citizens have the right to know how public resources are being managed,” he stated. Obi also promised to reduce what he described as the excessive cost of governance, saying scarce national resources should be redirected from official luxuries to education, healthcare, and infrastructure. He criticised expenditure on luxury government assets, including aircraft, stating that leaders must demonstrate prudent management of public resources. “There is too much waste in government. Before buying luxury assets, we should ask whether the same resources could build hospitals, schools, or critical infrastructure. Leadership is about setting priorities,” he said.

Obi reiterated his long-held position against maintaining a publicly funded Office of the First Lady, describing it as a non-constitutional creation. “My wife will naturally perform ceremonial duties as the president’s spouse, but there will be no separate government bureaucracy or publicly funded Office of the First Lady. Nigerians elected the president, not the president’s spouse,” Obi said. Reaffirming his earlier promise to serve only one term if elected, Obi said leadership was about keeping one’s word and delivering measurable results. “I do not need more than four years to put Nigeria on the right path. If elected, I will serve only one term of four years, not one day longer,” he declared. He also stressed that his greatest partners would be Nigeria’s young people, saying the objective is not simply to win an election but to build a Nigeria that works for everyone. Obi also defended his personal integrity, insisting that all his assets were lawfully declared while in office as governor, and challenged anyone with evidence of wrongdoing during his tenure to make it public.

“We Can’t Run a Country on Vibes” – Rufai Oseni Knocks Peter Obi Over Lack of Clear Policy Details