By Ayo Ayodele
The Presidency has dismissed former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi’s call for President Bola Tinubu to resign, describing the demand as “childish,” “anti-democratic,” and an attempt to distract Nigerians from the administration’s achievements.
In a statement issued on Monday by Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the State House said Obi’s comparison of Nigeria’s situation with the recent resignation of the British Prime Minister was “misplaced” and reflected a “selective and distorted view” of developments in the country since 2023.
Onanuga argued that Nigeria operates a presidential system of government with a fixed four-year tenure, unlike the parliamentary system in the United Kingdom, adding that any assessment of President Tinubu’s popularity should be left to voters at the next presidential election.
He cited the recent victories recorded by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State and legislative bye-elections in Nasarawa, Enugu, Ondo and Rivers states as evidence of the President’s continued support among Nigerians.
“Obi should wait until the presidential election to know what the people think of Tinubu’s government. Moving to use X to harangue the President out of office is off the mark and anti-democratic,” the statement said.
The Presidency also defended Tinubu’s handling of security, noting that the administration inherited longstanding challenges but had intensified efforts to combat insecurity nationwide.
According to Onanuga, thousands of terrorists have been neutralised, hundreds of abducted persons rescued, and investments in security enhanced through the deployment of advanced technologies, drones and the appointment of a Special Adviser on Homeland Security.
He also criticised Obi’s record as former governor of Anambra State, claiming he failed to adequately secure lives and property during his tenure.
On the economy, the Presidency rejected Obi’s assertion that Nigeria is in its “worst possible condition,” pointing to improvements in key economic indicators since Tinubu assumed office in May 2023.
The statement said the country had recorded consistent quarterly GDP growth, rising foreign reserves above $50 billion, increased oil production from below one million barrels per day to about 1.8 million barrels daily, and higher government revenues.
It further stated that the Nigerian stock market had expanded significantly, with the All-Share Index rising from about 50,000 points to over 250,000 points, while foreign direct and portfolio investments had increased due to renewed investor confidence.
The Presidency also highlighted infrastructure projects such as the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and Sokoto-Badagry Super Highway, describing them as long-awaited projects now being realised under Tinubu’s administration.
On education, Onanuga said the government had introduced an interest-free student loan scheme that has benefited nearly two million tertiary students and maintained uninterrupted academic calendars, with no prolonged industrial actions by unions such as the Academic Staff Union of Universities and Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions.
Addressing criticism over electricity supply, the Presidency said Tinubu never promised 24-hour power supply for all Nigerians, accusing Obi and his supporters of misrepresenting the President’s campaign remarks.
It added that the administration had signed the Electricity Act to decentralise power generation and distribution and was rolling out millions of prepaid meters to eliminate estimated billing.
While acknowledging the high cost of living, Onanuga argued that economic pressures were partly driven by global factors, including tensions in the Middle East and disruptions to international supply chains.
He maintained that Tinubu remained focused on reforms, economic stabilisation and security improvements, insisting that Obi’s call for resignation amounted to “political grandstanding.”
The statement concluded by accusing the former Anambra governor of promoting a distorted narrative about the state of the country and operating within “self-constructed echo chambers.”