Presidency deems Peter Obi's call for Tinubu's resignation childish and hollow.

By Johnbosco Agbakwuru

The Presidency has called Peter Obi’s demand that President Bola Tinubu resign, citing a comparison with the British Prime Minister’s voluntary exit, “childish and hollow.”

In a statement released in Abuja on Monday by presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga, the Presidency said Obi’s remarks were “misplaced” and reflected a “selective and distorted view” of Nigeria’s situation since 2023.

“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 read.

It added that Obi’s view is “simplistic,” noting that Nigeria operates a presidential system with a fixed four‑year term, unlike the UK’s parliamentary system.

While celebrating the All Progressives Congress’s recent electoral successes, the Presidency highlighted victories in Ekiti State and the senatorial constituencies of Nasarawa, Enugu, Ondo, and Rivers, stating that “the election results, some early referendum of sorts, show that President Tinubu and his party are popular with Nigerians.” It urged Obi to wait until the January 2027 presidential election to assess public opinion, calling the current criticism “off the mark and anti‑democratic.”

Addressing the country’s security and economic conditions, the Presidency noted that Tinubu inherited a nation facing longstanding challenges. It claimed that under Tinubu’s leadership, Nigeria has made measurable progress: “Hundreds of people have been rescued from captivity, including high‑profile operations in Borno and the Northwest. Our gallant troops have neutralised terrorist kingpins, sometimes with the help of our foreign allies.” It cited the removal of over 15,000 terrorists, intensified security operations, and the deployment of advanced technologies and drones. The statement also mentioned the appointment of a Special Adviser on Homeland Security to ensure a holistic approach.

On economic matters, the Presidency countered Obi’s portrayal of decline. It said Tinubu inherited an economy described by a former successor as a “dead horse economy” and that since May 2023, the Nigerian economy has posted positive GDP growth each quarter, surpassing the global average. It highlighted consistent trade surpluses, foreign reserves exceeding $50 billion, oil production rising from less than one million barrels per day to about 1.8 million, and projected federation revenue of over N30 trillion this year, far above the N7.7 trillion of 2022. By May, it claimed N15.7 trillion had already been collected, more than twice the total revenue of 2022. The statement also noted the All‑Share Index’s rise from 50,000 to over 250,000, the stability of the Naira‑to‑dollar exchange rate, and record highs in foreign direct and portfolio investment.

The Presidency further asserted that Tinubu has set records in infrastructure delivery, building concrete roads designed to last 100 years across all geopolitical zones and actualising the Lagos‑Calabar and Sokoto‑Bagadry superhighways. It praised Tinubu’s innovative policies, such as replacing petrol and diesel with CNG and offering close to two million interest‑free loans to tertiary students.

Regarding education, the statement questioned Obi’s claim that conditions are worsening, noting that in three years of Tinubu’s leadership, there has been no disruption of the academic calendar by trade unions such as ASUU or NASU. It said Tinubu’s promise of a consistent four‑year programme has been kept.

On power supply, the Presidency clarified that Tinubu’s campaign promise was not a guarantee of 24‑hour electricity for all, but a commitment to “whichever way, by all means necessary, you will have electricity, and you will not pay for estimated bills anymore.” It cited the signing of the Electricity Act, the rollout of millions of prepaid meters, plans to install seven million more, and the expansion of off‑grid solar power to schools, hospitals, and markets. The statement acknowledged remaining challenges in transmission infrastructure and sustainable pricing, which the administration is addressing to attract investment.

While acknowledging security challenges and the global impact of rising living costs, the Presidency said the Tinubu administration is tackling these issues head‑on. It noted that inflation was receding in Nigeria when global disruptions, such as the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, created high commodity prices.

Reiterating its position, the Presidency described Obi’s call for resignation as “childish and hollow,” a “political grandstand” and an “unworthy distraction” following Tinubu’s party’s recent electoral victories. It emphasized that leadership involves confronting challenges, investing in reforms, stabilising the economy, and improving security, and that Tinubu has demonstrated the capacity to deliver results.

The statement concluded that Obi’s remarks stem from a “self‑constructed echo chamber” and that the reality he imagines is largely a product of his own imagination.