{
  "id": 17283795,
  "title": "Debt worse than leprosy, Obasanjo counters Tinubu",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/30/debt-worse-than-leprosy-obasanjo-counters-tinubu",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-30T20:38:51.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Punch",
    "slug": "punch",
    "url": "https://punchng.com/debt-worse-than-leprosy-obasanjo-counters-tinubu/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has harshly criticised President Bola Tinubu's stance on government borrowing, arguing that excessive debt could inflict a devastating burden on future generations. In a recent speech at the Ajibosin Platform in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Obasanjo likened debt to leprosy, emphasizing that while he recognized borrowing could be manageable if the government had the means to repay it, the notion that debt was not inherently harmful was \"absolute nonsense.\" The former leader's remarks come in the wake of Tinubu's recent request to the National Assembly for fresh external loans totaling $20.52 billion and €1.045 billion under the Federal Government's 2026-2027 Supplementary External Borrowing Plan. These funds are intended to support various critical sectors, including infrastructure, agriculture, healthcare, education, water supply, security, employment generation, and financial management reforms.",
  "summary": "Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has countered President Tinubu’s position on borrowing, describing debt as ‘worse than leprosy’ and a burden on generati Read More: https://punchng.com/debt-worse-than-leprosy-obasanjo-counters-tinubu/",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Daily Post Nigeria",
        "title": "Debt is worse than leprosy - Obasanjo tackles Tinubu over borrowing comment",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/30/debt-is-worse-than-leprosy-obasanjo-tackles-tinubu-over-borrowing",
        "published": "2026-10-30T18:36:15.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}