The Presidency has strongly criticised Peter Obi after his call for President Bola Tinubu to resign, describing the comparison he drew with a recent political development in the United Kingdom as flawed and misleading.
Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), had suggested that President Tinubu should consider stepping down, referencing British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s announcement that he would leave office following public dissatisfaction over economic challenges and unmet promises.
Starmer had said on Monday that he would resign amid growing public pressure over economic conditions and governance concerns in the UK.
Reacting, presidential aide Bayo Onanuga dismissed Obi’s comments as “misplaced”, arguing that Nigeria’s presidential system differs fundamentally from the UK’s parliamentary structure.
“Peter Obi’s latest comments calling for President Bola Tinubu’s resignation, based on a comparison with the British Prime Minister’s voluntary exit, are not only misplaced but also reflect a selective and distorted view of Nigeria’s realities since 2023,” the statement reads.
The Presidency insisted that Nigeria operates a fixed-term presidential system and that Tinubu, who was elected for four years, must be allowed to complete his mandate.
“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.”
Onanuga also pointed to recent electoral victories by the All Progressives Congress (APC), arguing they reflect ongoing public support for Tinubu’s administration. He added that Obi should wait until the 2027 elections rather than calling for resignation.
“Obi should wait until the presidential election to know what the people think of Tinubu’s government. Moving to use X to harangue the President out of office is off the mark and anti-democratic,” he said.
The Presidency further defended Tinubu’s record on security, saying the administration inherited long-standing challenges but had recorded progress through military operations and rescues.
“It is important to note that President Tinubu did not inherit a country in perfect shape. The security challenges we face today are longstanding and deeply rooted,” Onanuga said.
He also criticised Obi’s record as governor, adding: “It is laughable that Obi, who, as governor, was a colossal failure, unable to secure lives and property in his small state of Anambra, is now the one calling for President Tinubu’s resignation over security breaches in some parts of the country.”
On economic performance, the Presidency cited quarterly GDP growth, rising reserves, increased oil output and fiscal reforms since Tinubu assumed office in May 2023.
It also rejected claims about power supply promises, insisting Tinubu never guaranteed 24-hour electricity for Nigerians.
“Concerning President Tinubu’s campaign promises on power supply, it is misleading for Peter Obi to parrot the claim that candidate Tinubu guaranteed 24-hour electricity for all,” Onanuga said.
The statement added that reforms in the power sector were ongoing, including the Electricity Act, prepaid meter expansion and off-grid investments.
While acknowledging economic hardship, the Presidency attributed inflationary pressures partly to global factors, including geopolitical tensions.
It concluded that Obi’s comments were politically motivated and not a genuine call for accountability.
“Peter Obi’s call for President Tinubu’s resignation is childish and hollow. It is not a call to hold the leader accountable. It is merely a political grandstand and an unworthy distraction,” he said.
