Tinubu won’t resign, Presidency tells Peter Obi

The Presidency has strongly rejected former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi’s call for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to resign, describing the demand as “childish, hollow and an unwarranted distraction.”

In a statement issued on Monday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the Presidency said Mr Obi’s comparison of Nigeria’s situation with the resignation of a British Prime Minister was misplaced and failed to appreciate the differences between the two countries’ political systems.

According to Mr Onanuga, Nigeria operates a presidential system of government in which a president is elected for a fixed four-year term, unlike the parliamentary system in the United Kingdom.

The presidential spokesman argued that recent electoral victories recorded by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in governorship, senatorial and legislative elections across several states demonstrated continued public support for President Tinubu and his administration.

He maintained that any assessment of the President’s popularity should be left to the electorate during the next general election rather than through what he described as attempts to pressure the President through social media campaigns.

Presidency Defends Security Record

Responding to Obi’s criticisms of the government’s handling of insecurity, the Presidency said President Tinubu inherited long-standing security challenges but had recorded notable successes since assuming office in May 2023.

Onanuga stated that security forces had rescued hundreds of kidnapped victims, intensified military operations across troubled regions, and neutralised several terrorist commanders.

He further claimed that more than 15,000 terrorists had been eliminated through coordinated operations, while investments in security infrastructure, including the deployment of advanced technology and drones, had strengthened the country’s security architecture.

The statement also highlighted the appointment of a Special Adviser on Homeland Security as part of efforts to adopt a more comprehensive approach to tackling insecurity.

The Presidency additionally criticised Obi’s tenure as governor of Anambra State, arguing that he was not in a position to question the administration’s security performance.

Economic Reforms Yielding Results, Says Presidency

The Presidency also defended the administration’s economic policies, insisting that claims that Nigeria was in its worst condition ignored available economic indicators.

According to the statement, President Tinubu inherited a struggling economy but introduced difficult reforms that previous administrations had avoided.

Onanuga said the economy had recorded positive Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth in successive quarters, while trade surpluses and foreign reserves had improved significantly.

He claimed that Nigeria’s foreign reserves had surpassed $50 billion and that crude oil production had increased from below one million barrels per day to about 1.8 million barrels daily.

The statement further noted that federation revenue had risen substantially, with projected collections expected to exceed N30 trillion this year compared to N7.7 trillion in 2022.

According to the Presidency, increased revenues have enabled state governments to invest more in infrastructure, healthcare, housing and education.

The statement also pointed to gains in the capital market, noting that the Nigerian stock market’s All-Share Index had risen significantly, creating wealth for millions of investors.

Infrastructure and Education Initiatives Highlighted

Defending the administration’s performance in infrastructure development, the Presidency cited ongoing projects such as the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and the Sokoto-Badagry Super Highway as evidence of President Tinubu’s commitment to modernising the country’s transport network.

It also highlighted the administration’s push for compressed natural gas (CNG) adoption as an alternative to petrol and diesel, describing the initiative as innovative and cost-saving.

On education, the Presidency pointed to the student loan programme, which provides interest-free loans to tertiary institution students, and noted that there had been no prolonged nationwide disruptions of academic activities by university unions during the administration’s three years in office.

Power Sector Reforms

Addressing Obi’s criticisms of electricity supply, Onanuga accused the former presidential candidate and his supporters of misrepresenting President Tinubu’s campaign promises.

He said the President never promised immediate 24-hour electricity nationwide but pledged to improve electricity access and eliminate estimated billing.

The statement cited the signing of the Electricity Act as one of the administration’s major reforms, saying it empowered states to generate, transmit and distribute electricity independently.

It also highlighted the rollout of prepaid meters and increased investment in off-grid solar power projects for schools, hospitals and markets.

According to the Presidency, efforts are ongoing to address challenges related to transmission infrastructure and electricity pricing in order to attract greater investment into the sector.

Cost of Living Challenges Acknowledged

While acknowledging the high cost of living facing Nigerians, the Presidency attributed part of the challenge to global economic pressures and geopolitical tensions.

The statement argued that disruptions in international supply chains and developments in the Middle East had contributed to rising commodity prices globally, affecting many countries, including Nigeria.

‘Political Grandstanding’

The Presidency concluded by describing Obi’s call for President Tinubu’s resignation as political grandstanding rather than constructive criticism.

Onanuga said President Tinubu remained focused on implementing reforms, improving security, stabilising the economy and laying the foundation for long-term national development.

He maintained that despite existing challenges, Nigeria was making progress under the current administration and urged Nigerians to judge the government based on its policies and results.

The statement comes amid renewed exchanges between the Presidency and opposition figures over the state of the nation and the performance of the Tinubu administration ahead of the 2027 general elections.