Obasanjo: Debt Worse Than Leprosy – A Scathing Reply to Tinubu

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has delivered a scathing response to President Tinubu’s stance on borrowing, declaring that Nigeria’s mounting debt is worse than leprosy. In a recent interview, Tinubu had stated that debt was not as detrimental as some perceived, sparking a heated debate. However, Obasanjo, a vocal critic of excessive borrowing, has refuted Tinubu’s stance. According to Punch Newspapers, Obasanjo stated, ‘And for anybody to say debt is no leprosy, is absolute nonsense. Debt is worse than leprosy. Because leprosy destroys only one person. Debt destroys generations.’ This sentiment was echoed by Premium Times Nigeria, which reported that Obasanjo warned, ‘Debt may be another booby trap of the West against developing countries.’ This controversy comes amidst growing concerns over Nigeria’s national debt, which has been rising steadily in recent years. It is unclear whether Tinubu has responded to Obasanjo’s comments.