Tinubu lacks capacity to end insecurity – Obi

Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Peter Obi, has criticised President Bola Tinubu’s handling of Nigeria’s security and economic challenges, claiming that the President lacks the capacity required to address the country’s worsening crises.

Obi, a former Governor of Anambra State, made the remarks during an interview on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, where he also urged Tinubu to step aside, arguing that the country needed a different level of leadership to confront its growing challenges.

The opposition figure also dismissed suggestions that Tinubu’s support from state governors would guarantee his victory in the 2027 presidential election, insisting that the ultimate decision would rest with Nigerians struggling with hunger, insecurity and economic hardship.

He also defended his political record, rejected allegations that he had discriminated against northerners, reiterated his claim that he won the 2023 presidential election, and called on the Federal Government and the Independent National Electoral Commission to ensure a free, fair and credible election in 2027.

Obi’s comments come amid increasing political realignments ahead of the next general election, with opposition parties exploring alliances and strategies to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress.

He acknowledged recent commendation reportedly given to Tinubu by United States President Donald Trump over efforts to combat insurgency but argued that the country’s worsening insecurity showed much more needed to be done.

He said, “Donald Trump’s letter to him is to the effect that the man has done well in terms of fighting insurgency and terrorists. (We say) thank you to Donald Trump. Thank you to President Tinubu. But we need to do more, far more than what we are doing.

“I’ve heard people say he has done his best. But with the crisis we are facing, his best is not enough. We need to do more.

“On Wednesday, 40 people were abducted in Zamfara. And the entire community, including everybody, has started packing to run away. On Thursday, 50 were kidnapped in Sokoto. So, we are in a crisis situation that requires added capacity.”

Asked how he would tackle the security crisis if elected president, Obi said he would personally lead the fight against insecurity.

“Several times, I will be far more committed in dealing with that issue. And I will be at the forefront. I’ll be the driver. Nobody, just me. I will visit and go there to deal with it. Everybody will see it.”

Speaking on the performance of the Tinubu administration, Obi said Nigeria was drifting in the wrong direction and required decisive leadership to reverse the trend.

He said, “We’re headed in the wrong direction in this country. I can turn this vehicle called Nigeria from its wrong direction in six months. He (Tinubu) can see it.

“That’s why people might say I call for his resignation or retirement. He should just step aside. He doesn’t have the capacity to do the job. No, the Bola Tinubu that was governor is not the one that is president today. He’s tired. He should be allowed to retire in peace and go home.”

On the political outlook for 2027, Obi dismissed arguments that Tinubu’s backing from governors would prove decisive at the polls, saying Nigerians facing economic hardship were no longer aligned with many political leaders.

“The 36 governors will support the president. So, there won’t be only 31. It will be 36. I want to give him all the governors. But all the people in the 36 States are not with them because they’re hungry.

“It’s a different thing to say the governor is supporting you. Are the people with the governor to support you? The answer is no. What I’m only asking for is a free, fair, and credible election, which will go down as part of his (Tinubu) legacy,” he stated.

The former governor also restated his claim that he won the 2023 presidential election.

When asked whether he still believed he emerged victorious, Obi replied, “Yes, I did.”

He subsequently alleged that the election outcome was manipulated.

“That’s why I’m pleading with them (to be fair in 2027). That’s what I want them to do. And that’s what I’m begging the youth whose life and future is at stake to come out and join me in demanding free, fair, and credible election. It will go down as part of his legacy.

“He has campaigned that he is a Democrat and has fought for democracy. This is time to prove it.

“When Yar’Adua became President, he said the process through which he came into office was faulty. I’m going to ensure that it does not happen again, even if I have to lose. And he did it by demonstrating it by all his actions. All the subsequent elections after him were free, fair, and credible. When he left, Jonathan continued in that direction.”

Obi also accused the current administration of weakening democratic institutions by undermining opposition parties.

“As a president, I will encourage opposition. But the government of the day is doing the opposite. I will ensure that opposition parties function as good as parties in government.

“The president said that he’s happy when the opposition are having problems. That is his word. And all his people are doing it. Because of this, they are destroying the legislature and the judiciary.

“I’m telling you, if I’m president today, most of the things you’re seeing in our politics will not exist. I will encourage a strong opposition,” he assured.

Responding to allegations by former Borno State Governor Ali Modu Sheriff that he had previously profiled northerners, Obi described the claim as false and cited his record in public service and philanthropy.

He said, “That’s a lie. It never happened. Sherfif’s aide de camp is from the north. Most governors choose their ADC from the closest person to them, from their own kins. My ADC is from Kaduna, and he was and still a Muslim.

“Many commissioners who served me in eight years while I was in office were from the north. They were not actually predominantly Muslim, but they are from the north. So how did I give them tags? Before I became governor, my two closest staff in the bank were from Kano. All the people I have as military friends were all from the north.

“As a governor, I have been paying for at least a Muslim every year to go to Hajj in Anambra and I have records of that. I was also paying for Christians to go for pilgrimage.

“Privately on my own, I have been doing boreholes in the North. As I speak to you, I’m supporting four Al-Majiri schools and schools of nursing in Kaduna and Bauchi. So you see, these are things they (including Ali Modu Sheriff) have done in the past to keep Nigerians divided.”

Obi also reiterated that he was not driven by personal ambition but by a desire to see Nigeria work.

“That’s not the idea. I’ve always said that I am not desperate to become President of Nigeria. I am desperate to see Nigeria work. If it is working, I will support whatever makes it work.”

He added, “It doesn’t matter if Peter Obi is the president or not. So far, Nigeria is good; I’m fine with it.”

However, he maintained that he was seeking the presidency because he believed he had the competence to transform the country.

“I’m contesting because I believe that I will fix it. I will unite the country and be able to show an example of what is possible,” Obi said.