Presidency has strongly rejected calls by former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to resign, describing the demand as “childish,” “hollow,” and a distraction from ongoing efforts to address Nigeria’s challenges.
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 flawed and failed to take into account the country’s constitutional framework.
Reacting to Obi’s recent remarks, Onanuga argued that Nigeria operates a presidential system with fixed terms of office, unlike the parliamentary structure in the UK where prime ministers can step down under different political circumstances.
“Peter 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,” Onanuga said.
He further maintained that recent electoral victories recorded by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in several states reflected continued public support for the Tinubu administration.
“The election results, some early referendum of sorts, show that President Tinubu and his party are popular with Nigerians,” he stated.
According to the presidential spokesman, Obi should allow Nigerians to assess the administration through the ballot box during the next presidential election rather than mounting pressure on social media.
“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,” he added.
Presidency Defends Security Efforts
On security, Onanuga said the administration inherited long-standing challenges but had made measurable progress through intensified military operations and investments in modern security infrastructure.
He said hundreds of kidnapped victims had been rescued, while thousands of terrorists and criminal elements had been neutralised across different parts of the country.
“President Tinubu has not only sustained but also expanded investments in security by deploying advanced technologies and drones, and by appointing a Special Adviser on Homeland Security to ensure a holistic approach. These actions demonstrate commitment, not failure,” he said.
The presidential aide also took a swipe at Obi’s record as governor of Anambra State, questioning his credentials to criticise the current administration on security matters.
“It is laughable that Obi, who, as governor, was a colossal failure, unable to secure lives and property in his small state of Anambra, as documented by his successor, Willie Obiano, is now the one calling for President Tinubu’s resignation over security breaches in some parts of the country,” he stated.
Tinubu’s Economic Reforms Yielding Results — Presidency
Defending the administration’s economic policies, Onanuga said President Tinubu inherited a struggling economy and had undertaken reforms that previous governments avoided.
He pointed to improvements in government revenue, foreign reserves, oil production and investor confidence as evidence that the economy was recovering.
“Since then, the Nigerian economy has posted positive GDP growth every quarter, surpassing the global average,” he said.
He added that foreign reserves had risen above $50 billion, while oil production had increased significantly from levels recorded before the current administration assumed office.
The Presidency also highlighted gains in the capital market, increased revenue allocation to states and what it described as record levels of foreign investment.
Power, Infrastructure and Student Loans
Onanuga rejected claims that Tinubu had failed to fulfil promises on electricity supply, insisting that the President’s comments during the 2023 campaign had been repeatedly misrepresented.
“What he actually said on that occasion in Lagos and which Obi and his followers have consistently misquoted, for the sake of mischief, was: ‘Whichever way, by all means necessary, you will have electricity, and you will not pay for estimated bills anymore. A promise made will be a promise kept. If I don’t keep the promise and I come for a second term, don’t vote for me—unless I give you adequate reasons why I couldn’t deliver.’”
The presidential spokesman cited the signing of the Electricity Act, the rollout of prepaid meters and investments in solar power projects as evidence of efforts to improve electricity access across the country.
He also highlighted ongoing infrastructure projects, including the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and the Sokoto-Badagry Super Highway, as well as the introduction of compressed natural gas (CNG) initiatives and the student loan scheme.
According to him, the administration had also succeeded in preventing disruptions to academic activities by university-based unions.
“That is one of President Tinubu’s campaign promises to our students: a four-year programme will be a four-year programme. It has been a promise well kept,” Onanuga said.
‘Resignation Call Is Political Grandstanding’
While acknowledging the challenges posed by rising living costs, the Presidency argued that economic pressures were not unique to Nigeria and had been influenced by global developments.
“No one denies that Nigeria has challenges, especially regarding the high cost of living. But any honest politician will agree this is a global problem resulting from the tensions in the Middle East,” Onanuga stated.
He concluded by describing Obi’s call for Tinubu’s resignation as politically motivated and disconnected from realities on the ground.
“Peter Obi’s call for President Tinubu’s resignation is childish and hollow. It is not a call to hold the leader accountable. It is merely a political grandstand and an unworthy distraction,” he said.
“President Tinubu focuses on solutions, not rhetoric—investing in reforms, stabilising the economy, improving security, and laying the groundwork for a more prosperous Nigeria.”
The statement marks the Presidency’s first official response to Obi’s criticism of the Tinubu administration and sets the stage for renewed political exchanges ahead of the 2027 general elections.