Presidency, Peter Obi Clash Over Call for Tinubu’s Resignation

The Presidency and Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress for the 2027 election, have traded words over Obi’s call for President Bola Tinubu to resign.

Obi made the call after reacting to the resignation of British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. He argued that leaders who fail to fulfil their promises should take responsibility and step aside.

The Presidency dismissed the call, describing it as childish, hollow and politically motivated.

Why Peter Obi Asked Tinubu To Resign

In a post on X titled “Owning Up to Leadership Failures and Political Responsibility”, Obi urged President Tinubu to reflect on his campaign promises and the current state of the country.

He argued that Tinubu had failed to deliver on key commitments, especially in the areas of power supply, security, corruption and citizens’ welfare.

According to Obi, Starmer’s decision to resign over public frustration in the United Kingdom should serve as a lesson for Nigerian leaders.

He noted that the British Prime Minister faced pressure over a weak economy, rising cost of living and failure to meet major campaign pledges.

Obi then compared that situation with Nigeria, saying economic hardship, insecurity and poor electricity supply had worsened under Tinubu’s administration.

Obi Reminds Tinubu Of Past Resignation Calls

Obi also recalled that before 2015, Tinubu had supported calls for former President Goodluck Jonathan to resign over insecurity and economic hardship.

He referenced the Chibok schoolgirls’ abduction, saying Tinubu had at the time argued that Jonathan failed in his basic duty to protect lives.

Obi insisted that the same standard should apply today.

He also reminded Nigerians that Tinubu, during the 2023 campaign, asked voters not to support him for a second term if he failed to provide stable electricity and improve national welfare.

According to Obi, the situation in the country now shows that those promises have not been met.

Presidency Rejects Obi’s Call

The Presidency responded through Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy.

Onanuga dismissed Obi’s comments as political grandstanding and accused him of trying to distract Nigerians after the ruling All Progressives Congress recorded victories in recent elections.

He argued that Obi’s comparison with the United Kingdom was wrong because Nigeria operates a presidential system, not a parliamentary system.

According to him, President Tinubu was elected for a fixed four-year term, unlike a British Prime Minister who can leave office based on party pressure or parliamentary politics.

The Presidency also accused Obi of using social media to pressure the President out of office, describing the move as anti-democratic.

Presidency Points To APC’s Recent Electoral Wins

Onanuga also referred to recent victories by the APC in Ekiti and senatorial elections in Nasarawa, Enugu, Ondo and Rivers.

He argued that the results showed continued support for President Tinubu and the ruling party.

According to the Presidency, Obi should wait for the next presidential election if he wants to test public opinion on Tinubu’s government.

The statement also took aim at Obi’s new political platform, the Nigeria Democratic Congress, suggesting that APC’s recent wins should worry the opposition ahead of 2027.

Tinubu Did Not Inherit A Perfect Country, Presidency Says

The Presidency further argued that Tinubu inherited long-standing economic and security problems.

On security, it claimed that the administration had made progress through rescue operations, counter-terrorism actions and wider investment in surveillance technology.

It also claimed that more than 15,000 terrorists had been removed from streets and forests through security operations.

Onanuga added that the government had expanded the use of drones, strengthened security coordination and appointed a Special Adviser on Homeland Security to improve national response.

He insisted that these actions showed commitment rather than failure.

Presidency Defends Tinubu’s Economic Record

The Presidency also rejected Obi’s claim that Nigeria is in its worst condition.

It argued that Tinubu inherited a weak economy and took difficult decisions that previous administrations avoided.

According to Onanuga, the Nigerian economy has recorded positive GDP growth every quarter since Tinubu assumed office in May 2023.

He said Obi’s criticism ignored what the government described as verifiable progress and global support for Tinubu’s economic reforms.

The Presidency also attacked Obi’s record as governor of Anambra State, accusing him of failing to secure lives and property during his time in office.

What The Exchange Means For 2027 Politics

The clash shows that the political contest ahead of 2027 is already taking shape.

For Obi, the argument is about accountability. He wants Tinubu to be judged by his campaign promises and the current hardship facing Nigerians.

For the Presidency, the issue is political legitimacy. It insists Tinubu has a constitutional mandate and should only be judged through elections, not resignation calls on social media.

The exchange also shows how economic hardship, insecurity and power supply are likely to dominate political debate before the next general election.

As both sides continue to frame the national conversation, Nigerians will be watching whether the government can turn its reforms into visible relief before the 2027 vote.