The presidency on Monday, strongly rebuked comments by the presidential candidate of the National Democratic Congress, NDC, Mr. Peter Obi, calling for the resignation of President Tinubu.
Describing the remarks as “childish” and an “unwarranted distraction,” a statement, issued by presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga, argued that Obi’s comparison of Nigeria’s political situation to that of the United Kingdom was fundamentally flawed.
According to the presidency, Obi’s call ignores the structural differences between Nigeria’s presidential system and the UK’s parliamentary model, where leadership changes can occur without a general election. The statement stressed that Nigeria operates a fixed-term system, and that any attempt to pressure a sitting president to resign outside constitutional provisions undermines democratic principles.
The presidency further pointed to recent electoral victories by the ruling party in states such as Ekiti and senatorial districts across Nasarawa, Enugu, Ondo, and Rivers as evidence of continued public support for Tinubu’s administration. It described the outcomes as an “early referendum” on the president’s performance, suggesting that Obi and his political allies should instead await the 2027 general elections.
On security, the statement maintained that the Tinubu administration inherited longstanding challenges but has made measurable progress. It cited military operations that have led to the rescue of kidnapped victims and the neutralisation of thousands of террористs, alongside increased investment in technology and the appointment of a Special Adviser on Homeland Security to coordinate efforts nationwide.
Addressing the economy, the presidency rejected Obi’s assertion that Nigeria is in its “worst possible condition,” highlighting improvements in GDP growth, foreign reserves, and oil production. It also pointed to rising government revenues and stock market gains as indicators of economic recovery, while attributing current cost-of-living pressures partly to global disruptions linked to geopolitical tensions.
The statement also defended Tinubu’s infrastructure and policy initiatives, including major highway projects, the rollout of compressed natural gas (CNG) alternatives, and the introduction of interest-free student loans. It further noted reforms in the power sector, including the signing of the Electricity Act and expansion of prepaid metering, as steps toward improving electricity supply.
Concluding, the presidency characterised Obi’s remarks as politically motivated and lacking substance, accusing him of engaging in “grandstanding” rather than constructive opposition. It insisted that Tinubu remains focused on governance, reforms, and long-term development, asserting that Nigeria is on a path to sustained progress under his leadership.
