Mr Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, LP, has said what Nigerians needed was a 60 per cent cut in the cost of governance and not a mere reduction of travel entourages.

Obi, made this assertion in a statement via his verified X handle late Wednesday.

He spoke against the backdrop of the slash in the number of people on entourages for local and international travels by President Bola Tinubu by 60 per cent.

Recall that presidential spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale, had said the move was part of cost-cutting measures of the Presidency.

The measure will affect the office of the president, vice president, first lady, ministers and heads of agencies.

But Obi said the measure “is just scratching the surface” because it will only lead to a negligible saving, adding that the 2024 budget needed to be revised to cut all wasteful and unnecessary items.

He said: “The just announced 60% cut in the size of federal official entourages on travels is one positive step towards the reduction of cost of governance and a way of halting wastage.

“But this measure is just scratching the surface as it is limited in scope and can only lead to a very negligible saving. We are yet to be told how much savings this will amount to.

“While this modest step may be somewhat commendable, what is desirable should be both a 60% reduction in federal official overseas trips as well as a 60% reduction in the size of delegations.