{
  "id": 17288310,
  "title": "Debt worse than leprosy, Obasanjo counters Tinubu",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/30/debt-worse-than-leprosy-obasanjo-counters-tinubu-17288310",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-30T21:08:51.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Punch Nigeria",
    "slug": "punch-nigeria",
    "url": "https://punchng.com/debt-worse-than-leprosy-obasanjo-counters-tinubu/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": null,
  "summary": "Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has criticized President Bola Tinubu’s position on government borrowing, describing excessive debt as \"worse than leprosy\" because, while leprosy destroys one person, debt destroys generations. Speaking on Friday at the Ajibosin Platform in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Obasanjo dismissed Tinubu’s earlier assertion that borrowing is not inherently harmful if the government has the capacity to repay it.\n\nAccording to Daily Post Nigeria, Tinubu had previously stated during a meeting with Plateau leaders that the administration would continue to borrow when necessary and that borrowing should not be viewed negatively. Punch reports that this follows the President's request to the National Assembly for fresh external loans totaling $20.52bn and €1.045bn under a supplementary borrowing plan for 2026–2027. These funds are intended to finance various sectors, including infrastructure, agriculture, healthcare, and education.",
  "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."
}