The Presidency has strongly rejected calls by Mr. Peter Obi, for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to resign, describing the demand as childish, politically motivated and an unnecessary distraction from the nation’s ongoing progress.
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 situation with the resignation of the British Prime Minister was misguided and failed to take into account the differences between Nigeria’s presidential system of government and the parliamentary structure operated in the United Kingdom.
According to Onanuga, President Tinubu was democratically elected for a constitutionally fixed four-year tenure and remains accountable to the Nigerian electorate through the ballot box rather than social media campaigns.
He noted that recent electoral victories recorded by the ruling party in several states and senatorial districts reflected continued public confidence in the President and his administration.
The presidential spokesman maintained that the Tinubu administration inherited deep-rooted security and economic challenges but has continued to record measurable achievements across critical sectors.
He cited intensified military operations against insurgents and criminal elements, the rescue of kidnapped victims, the elimination of terrorist leaders and the deployment of advanced security technologies as evidence of the government’s commitment to protecting lives and property.
Onanuga argued that contrary to Obi’s portrayal of the economy, Nigeria has witnessed notable improvements since President Tinubu assumed office in May 2023. He pointed to sustained quarterly economic growth, rising foreign reserves, increased oil production, higher government revenues and improved investor confidence as indicators of economic recovery.
He further stated that federal revenue collections have risen significantly, providing state governments with greater financial capacity to execute development projects in infrastructure, healthcare, education and housing.
He also highlighted the remarkable growth of the Nigerian stock market and the stability of the naira as signs of strengthening economic fundamentals.
The Presidency also defended the administration’s infrastructure agenda, noting that major projects such as the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and the Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway are being executed to enhance national connectivity and economic development.
According to the statement, the government has also expanded access to compressed natural gas (CNG) as an alternative energy source and introduced interest-free student loans to support access to tertiary education.
Onanuga observed that one of the administration’s notable achievements has been the stability of the nation’s tertiary education system, stressing that Nigeria has not witnessed the prolonged industrial actions by university unions that previously disrupted academic calendars.
Addressing concerns over electricity supply, the presidential aide accused Obi and his supporters of repeatedly misrepresenting President Tinubu’s campaign promises, even as he explained that the administration’s enactment of the Electricity Act has empowered states to participate independently in power generation, transmission and distribution, while efforts are ongoing to expand prepaid metering and improve transmission infrastructure.
While acknowledging the prevailing cost-of-living pressures facing many Nigerians, Onanuga attributed part of the challenge to global economic disruptions and geopolitical tensions, particularly developments in the Middle East that have affected international supply chains and commodity prices.
He described Obi’s call for the President’s resignation as a political stunt lacking substance, insisting that genuine leadership requires perseverance, innovation and commitment to solving national problems rather than engaging in rhetoric.
The presidential spokesman maintained that President Tinubu remains focused on implementing reforms, strengthening security, expanding infrastructure and creating conditions for sustainable economic growth. He expressed confidence that the administration’s policies are laying the foundation for a more prosperous Nigeria.
Onanuga accused Obi of presenting a distorted picture of national realities, insisting that the administration’s record demonstrates steady progress and that the President remains fully committed to delivering on his mandate to Nigerians.
