Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga has strongly rejected Peter Obi’s call for President Bola Tinubu’s resignation, describing it as a misguided and politically motivated attack that ignores Nigeria’s constitutional realities and the administration’s achievements.
Responding to Obi’s comparison of Nigeria with the United Kingdom following the British Prime Minister’s decision to step down, Onanuga argued that the analogy was fundamentally flawed, noting that Nigeria operates a presidential system with fixed electoral mandates, unlike Britain’s parliamentary model.
According to him, recent electoral victories recorded by the ruling party in Ekiti and senatorial districts across Nasarawa, Enugu, Ondo and Rivers states demonstrate continued public confidence in President Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC).
“Peter Obi should wait for the next presidential election if he wants to test public opinion. Attempting to pressure a democratically elected president out of office through social media campaigns is undemocratic and misplaced,” Onanuga said.
Tinubu Inherited Deep-Seated Challenges
The presidential adviser maintained that Tinubu inherited longstanding security and economic problems but has made measurable progress in addressing them.
He cited the rescue of hundreds of kidnapping victims, intensified military operations against insurgents and bandits, the elimination of notorious terrorist leaders, and the deployment of advanced security technologies as evidence of the administration’s commitment to restoring peace and stability.
Onanuga also dismissed Obi’s criticism of the government’s security record, arguing that the former Anambra governor lacked the moral authority to make such claims.
Economic Reforms Yielding Results
Defending Tinubu’s economic policies, Onanuga said the administration took over what he described as a severely weakened economy and implemented difficult but necessary reforms that previous governments had avoided.
He pointed to sustained quarterly GDP growth, rising foreign reserves, increased oil production, expanding government revenues and growing investor confidence as indicators of economic recovery.
According to him, federal revenue has surged significantly since 2023, providing state governments with greater resources for infrastructure, healthcare, education and other development projects.
He further noted that the Nigerian stock market has witnessed unprecedented growth, while foreign direct and portfolio investments have reached record levels, particularly in the oil and gas sector.
Infrastructure, Education and Energy Reforms
Onanuga said Tinubu’s administration has accelerated infrastructure development through major highway projects, including the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and the Sokoto-Badagry Super Highway, while also investing in durable road networks across the country.
He highlighted the government’s push for Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) adoption, describing it as a bold move to reduce dependence on costly petrol and diesel.
The presidential aide also cited the student loan scheme, which has enabled millions of Nigerian students to access interest-free loans, and noted that the country has not witnessed prolonged disruptions to the academic calendar under Tinubu’s watch.
Clarifies Power Sector Promise
Addressing Obi’s criticism of electricity supply, Onanuga accused the former Labour Party presidential candidate and his supporters of repeatedly misrepresenting Tinubu’s campaign statements on power.
He stressed that Tinubu’s first major legislative action in office was signing the Electricity Act, which empowers states to generate, transmit and distribute electricity independently.
He also pointed to ongoing efforts to eliminate estimated billing through mass deployment of prepaid meters, expand off-grid solar solutions and attract fresh investment into the power sector.
‘Resignation Call Childish and Hollow’
While acknowledging the economic hardship facing many Nigerians, Onanuga argued that rising living costs are part of broader global economic pressures, including disruptions caused by geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.
He described Obi’s demand for Tinubu’s resignation as “childish and hollow,” insisting that it was driven more by politics than genuine concern for national development.
According to him, Tinubu remains focused on implementing reforms, strengthening security, stabilising the economy and laying the foundation for long-term growth.
“True leadership is about confronting challenges, adapting to changing realities and delivering results. President Tinubu has demonstrated the courage and determination required to move Nigeria forward,” Onanuga stated.
He concluded by accusing Obi of operating within an “echo chamber” that distorts the realities of the country, insisting that Nigeria remains firmly on the path of progress under the Tinubu administration.
