A heated exchange unfolded on Arise News during a live segment analysing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s performance in Nigeria’s Southeast, as questions were raised over claims of business growth under the current administration.
During the March 27, 2026 broadcast, pro-government analyst George Agbakahi asserted that the Tinubu administration had facilitated the creation of 7,000 new businesses in the Southeast through funding provided by the Bank of Industry.
However, the programme’s anchor, Oseni Rufai, pressed for verifiable data to support the claim, prompting a clarification from Agbakahi. He revised his statement, explaining that the figure referred not to newly established businesses in the Southeast, but to over 7,000 businesses nationwide that received a total of ₦636 billion in funding in 2025.
According to Agbakahi, the disbursement supported approximately 1.6 million jobs across the country. Despite the clarification, no official figures were presented to confirm the establishment of new businesses specifically within the Southeast region.
The exchange highlights growing scrutiny over government performance narratives, particularly as political discourse intensifies ahead of the 2027 general elections. Analysts say such debates reflect broader concerns about data transparency, regional development, and the accuracy of claims made in defence of policy outcomes.
With economic performance expected to be a key campaign issue, observers note that public demand for verifiable data and measurable impact is likely to shape political conversations in the months ahead.
