Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has criticised recent governance controversies in Nigeria, warning that the country is moving beyond the era of “ghost workers” into what he described as the emergence of “ghost agencies.”
Obi made the remarks while reacting to recent developments in public administration, expressing concern over what he believes are deepening accountability challenges within government institutions.
According to the former Anambra State governor, Nigeria’s governance system is increasingly plagued by a lack of transparency and effective oversight, a trend he warned could have far-reaching consequences if left unchecked.
“We used to have ghost workers because we didn’t do anything. Now, we have ghost agencies. Soon, we will have ghost ministries, ghost governors, and ghost presidents,” Obi said.
His comments appeared to reference ongoing concerns about transparency, efficiency and accountability in the management of public institutions.
Obi argued that the country must strengthen its governance framework by promoting transparency, responsible leadership and effective institutional oversight.
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He stressed that public institutions should operate with credibility and accountability, insisting that reforms are necessary to restore public confidence in government operations and ensure that public resources are properly managed.
The former presidential candidate has consistently advocated improved governance, prudent management of public funds and stronger institutions, maintaining that these are essential to addressing Nigeria’s economic and developmental challenges.
His latest remarks have added to the broader national conversation on public sector accountability, with increasing calls from stakeholders for reforms aimed at improving transparency, reducing waste and enhancing the efficiency of government institutions.
The comments come amid renewed public scrutiny of governance practices and reinforce ongoing debates over the need for stronger accountability mechanisms across all levels of government.