President Bola Tinubu has taken aim at Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), over how he dealt with erosion in Anambra State, casting doubt on his leadership abilities ahead of the 2027 general election.
Tinubu made these remarks on Friday during the All Progressives Congress rally at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, where he called on voters not to back Obi in the upcoming presidential election.
The president set Obi’s record in Anambra against his own efforts to tackle coastal challenges in Lagos and those of Akwa Ibom Governor Umo Eno.
“He’s in one party; they called NDC, who is running for president; he ran away from erosion in Anambra State. He could not confront erosion,” Tinubu said.
“I, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, confronted the Atlantic Ocean; I tamed it for you. Umo Eno confronted the erosion in Akwa Ibom, and it’s working for you.”
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The President stated that Obi lacked the leadership qualities required to govern the country, citing his departure from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and subsequent move to the NDC.
“They lack leadership character and traits,” Tinubu said.
He questioned Obi’s decision to leave the PDP after having previously been associated with the party, describing the move as evidence of a lack of political leadership.
“If a man that once upon a time was a baby of PDP became a father of PDP and because of a little inconvenience he ran away from that party and formed a dangerous aide-de-camp in another party, is that a leadership trait? Is that a leadership character?” he asked.
Tinubu went on to question Obi’s presidential ambition, telling supporters that the former Anambra governor was not fit to lead the country.
“And he wants you to vote for him; it’s not for Banana. He cannot put a house in order,” the president said.
The rally was part of Tinubu’s visit to Akwa Ibom, where he commissioned projects carried out by the Eno administration before attending the APC political gathering.
