ABUJA — The Presidency and the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) for the 2027 election, Peter Obi, on Wednesday exchanged words over Obi’s call for President Bola Tinubu to resign from office.
Obi made the call while reacting to the planned resignation of British Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, arguing that President Tinubu should also consider stepping down over what he described as unfulfilled campaign promises and worsening economic conditions.
In a post on X titled “Owning Up to Leadership Failures and Political Responsibility,” Obi said Tinubu should emulate the British leader and take responsibility for Nigeria’s economic hardship, insecurity and poor electricity supply.
According to Obi, Tinubu had previously demanded the resignation of former President Goodluck Jonathan over insecurity and economic challenges and should be held to the same standard.
“During the 2023 election campaign, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu made several promises, including improved electricity supply. He also challenged the electorate not to vote for him for a second term if he failed to deliver,” Obi stated.
He argued that insecurity, kidnappings, economic hardship and power supply challenges had worsened since Tinubu assumed office.
However, the Presidency dismissed Obi’s remarks, describing them as childish, hollow and politically motivated.
In a statement issued by presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga, the Presidency said Obi’s comments amounted to political grandstanding and ignored the differences between Nigeria’s presidential system and the United Kingdom’s parliamentary system.
“His view is simplistic. Obi forgets our country does not run a parliamentary system of government like the UK. We run a presidential system, with the president elected to a fixed four-year term,” the statement said.
The Presidency also cited recent electoral victories by the ruling All Progressives Congress as evidence of continued public support for President Tinubu.
Defending the administration’s record, the Presidency said Tinubu inherited deep-rooted security and economic challenges but had recorded measurable progress through intensified military operations, investments in security technology and economic reforms.
It further accused Obi of ignoring positive economic indicators and questioned his record as former governor of Anambra State.
The exchange marks the latest political confrontation between the opposition figure and the Presidency as preparations for the 2027 general election gather momentum.