By Seun Ibiyemi
The Presidency on Monday launched a scathing attack on former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, over his call for President Bola Tinubu to resign, describing the demand as childish, anti-democratic and disconnected from the realities of governance in Nigeria.
In a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the Presidency said Obi’s comparison of Nigeria’s situation with that of the United Kingdom, where a prime minister voluntarily stepped down, was misplaced because Nigeria operates a presidential system with constitutionally fixed terms of office.
Onanuga argued that recent electoral victories recorded by the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State and senatorial elections in Nasarawa, Enugu, Ondo and Rivers states showed that President Tinubu and his party continued to enjoy public support.
According to him, Obi should await the 2027 presidential election if he wishes to test the popularity of the administration rather than calling for the President’s resignation through social media commentary.
The presidential aide also faulted Obi’s criticism of the government’s handling of security challenges, maintaining that the Tinubu administration inherited longstanding security problems but has made measurable progress in addressing them.
He cited the rescue of hundreds of kidnapped victims, the elimination of terrorist leaders and intensified military operations across the country as evidence of the administration’s commitment to improving security.
Onanuga noted that more than 15,000 terrorists had reportedly been neutralised, while investments in advanced security technology and drone deployment had been expanded to strengthen ongoing operations.
The Presidency further accused Obi of ignoring the administration’s achievements in the economy, insisting that Nigeria has recorded steady economic growth since Tinubu assumed office in May 2023.
According to the statement, the country has maintained positive Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth, recorded consistent trade surpluses and witnessed an increase in foreign reserves, which it said had surpassed $50 billion.
It also claimed that oil production had risen from below one million barrels per day to about 1.8 million barrels per day, while government revenue had improved significantly compared to previous years.
The statement highlighted developments in the capital market, noting that the Nigerian Exchange had recorded substantial growth, creating wealth for millions of investors.
On infrastructure, the Presidency pointed to major projects including the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and the Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway as evidence of the administration’s commitment to long-term national development.
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The statement also referenced reforms in the education and energy sectors, including the student loan programme and the implementation of the Electricity Act, which allows states to participate more actively in power generation and distribution.
Responding to Obi’s criticism of power supply, the Presidency maintained that the former Anambra State governor had repeatedly misrepresented comments made by Tinubu during the 2023 election campaign regarding electricity delivery.
While acknowledging the country’s economic challenges, particularly the high cost of living, Onanuga argued that many of the pressures being experienced were linked to global economic disruptions and geopolitical tensions.
He described Obi’s demand for Tinubu’s resignation as political grandstanding and an attempt to distract from what he called the administration’s ongoing efforts to stabilise the economy, improve security and deliver on its reform agenda.
The Presidency concluded by expressing confidence that the reforms being implemented by the Tinubu administration would ultimately place Nigeria on a stronger path of economic growth and national development.
