Presidency Dismisses Obi’s Call for Tinubu’s Resignation, Describes It as ‘Childish Distraction’

The Presidency has strongly rejected calls by the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to resign over alleged failures in governance, describing the demand as “childish,” “hollow,” and an attempt to distract from the administration’s achievements.

In a statement issued on Monday, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said Obi’s comparison of Nigeria’s political system with that of the United Kingdom was misplaced and failed to recognize the differences between parliamentary and presidential democracies.

Obi had earlier urged President Tinubu to consider resigning, citing the resignation announcement of the British Prime Minister and arguing that worsening economic hardship, insecurity, and unmet campaign promises warranted similar accountability in Nigeria.

Responding, Onanuga said President Tinubu was elected for a fixed four-year term under Nigeria’s presidential system and should be judged by voters at the next general election rather than through what he described as social media campaigns.

“The people of Ekiti State and the senatorial constituents in Nasarawa, Enugu, Ondo and Rivers have just delivered a resounding victory for President Tinubu and his party,” Onanuga stated.

According to him, the recent electoral victories recorded by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) demonstrate continued public support for the President and his administration.

The Presidency also defended Tinubu’s handling of security challenges, arguing that the administration inherited longstanding security problems and has recorded measurable successes in combating terrorism, banditry and kidnapping.

Onanuga said thousands of terrorists had been neutralised through intensified military operations, while investments in security infrastructure, technology and intelligence gathering had been expanded.

“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,” the statement said.

On the economy, the Presidency rejected Obi’s assertion that Nigeria was experiencing its worst conditions, pointing to improvements in key economic indicators since Tinubu assumed office in May 2023.

The statement cited positive GDP growth, increased foreign reserves, rising oil production, higher government revenues, stronger investor confidence and gains in the Nigerian stock market as evidence that the economy was on a path to recovery.

According to the Presidency, federation revenue has increased significantly under Tinubu’s administration, while foreign exchange reforms and broader economic policies have attracted increased foreign investment.

The statement further highlighted major infrastructure projects, including the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and the Sokoto-Badagry Super Highway, as evidence of the administration’s commitment to national development.

Defending the government’s record on education and student welfare, the Presidency pointed to the student loan scheme and the relative stability in tertiary institutions, noting that universities had operated without prolonged strikes by academic unions during the administration’s first three years.

On electricity supply, Onanuga accused Obi and his supporters of repeatedly misrepresenting President Tinubu’s campaign remarks on power generation and distribution.

He argued that the administration had enacted reforms through the Electricity Act, expanded prepaid meter distribution and promoted off-grid energy solutions to improve access to power across the country.

While acknowledging the high cost of living facing many Nigerians, the Presidency attributed part of the challenge to global economic disruptions, including geopolitical tensions and volatility in international energy markets.

The statement maintained that President Tinubu remains focused on implementing reforms aimed at stabilising the economy, improving security and delivering long-term development outcomes.

“True leadership means staying the course, learning, adapting, and delivering results. President Tinubu has shown he is up to the task, and Nigeria is on the path to progress,” Onanuga said.

The exchange between Obi and the Presidency underscores the intensifying political contest ahead of the 2027 general election, with opposition parties increasingly scrutinising the administration’s performance while the government continues to defend its record and reform agenda.