The Presidency has strongly criticised former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, for urging President Bola Tinubu to resign, describing the demand as a “childish distraction” and a politically motivated attack.
In a statement issued on Monday by presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga, the Presidency dismissed Obi’s comparison between Nigeria and the United Kingdom, where Prime Minister Keir Starmer recently announced plans to step down.
According to the Presidency, Obi’s argument was based on a flawed understanding of Nigeria’s political structure.
“Nigeria does not operate a parliamentary system like the UK,” the statement said. “We have a presidential system where the President is elected for a fixed four-year term.”
The Presidency also pointed to recent electoral victories recorded by the ruling party in Ekiti and several senatorial by-elections as evidence that President Tinubu and the APC continue to enjoy public support.
Responding to concerns about insecurity, the government maintained that significant progress has been made in the fight against terrorism, kidnapping and other violent crimes. It said thousands of terrorists had been neutralised, while many kidnapped victims had been rescued through ongoing military operations supported by modern surveillance technology and drones.
The statement further took aim at Obi’s record as governor of Anambra State, arguing that he lacked the moral authority to criticise the current administration.
On the economy, the Presidency rejected claims that conditions had worsened under Tinubu, citing improvements in GDP growth, foreign reserves, oil production and government revenue. It also highlighted gains in the stock market and ongoing infrastructure projects across the country.
The government defended Tinubu’s campaign promises on electricity, saying reforms are already underway through the implementation of the Electricity Act and the expansion of prepaid metering.
It also argued that rising living costs are not unique to Nigeria, noting that global inflationary pressures have been worsened by international conflicts and economic instability.
The statement concluded with a direct rebuke of Obi, accusing him of political grandstanding rather than offering constructive alternatives.
“Peter Obi’s call for President Tinubu’s resignation is hollow and irresponsible,” the Presidency said. “It is not about accountability but an attempt to create unnecessary political distraction.”
The Presidency added that Obi appears disconnected from current realities, insisting that many of the challenges he highlighted are being addressed through ongoing reforms and government interventions.
