The Presidency has strongly reacted to comments by Labour Party’s Peter Obi calling for President Bola Tinubu’s resignation, describing the statement as “childish” and an attempt to divert public attention.
In a statement issued by presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga, the Presidency rejected Obi’s comparison between Nigeria’s political structure and that of the United Kingdom, arguing that the analogy was flawed and misleading.
The statement maintained that Nigeria operates a presidential system with fixed terms, unlike the UK’s parliamentary model, making Obi’s argument “simplistic and inaccurate.”
According to the Presidency, “Obi’s call for President Tinubu’s resignation is a childish and unwarranted distraction,” adding that his interpretation of national developments since 2023 was “selective and distorted.”
It further insisted that recent election results across several states reflected continued public support for the administration.
The statement cited victories in Ekiti, Nasarawa, Enugu, Ondo, and Rivers States as evidence of voter confidence, arguing that the outcomes demonstrated Tinubu’s popularity.
On security, the Presidency defended its performance, claiming that significant progress had been recorded in the fight against insecurity.
It said security forces had rescued hundreds of kidnapped victims, eliminated terrorist leaders, and removed over 15,000 criminals from forests and communities. It also highlighted increased investment in security technology, including drones and surveillance systems.
The statement also criticised Obi personally, referencing his tenure as governor of Anambra State and describing his record as unsuccessful in addressing security challenges.
On the economy, the Presidency rejected claims of decline and instead pointed to what it called measurable improvements under the current administration.
It stated that Nigeria has recorded consistent GDP growth, foreign reserves exceeding $50 billion, rising oil production of about 1.8 million barrels per day, and increased federation revenues projected above N30 trillion.
It also noted a strong performance in the stock market, which it said had grown significantly since the beginning of the administration.
On infrastructure, the Presidency said ongoing projects such as the Lagos–Calabar and Sokoto–Badagry superhighways, alongside nationwide road construction efforts, were part of long-term development plans aimed at durability and economic expansion.
It further highlighted education and social interventions, including interest-free loans for nearly two million tertiary students, as part of efforts to ease financial pressure on citizens.
Responding to Obi’s comments on electricity, the Presidency said the former governor misrepresented past statements, insisting that reforms in the power sector were already underway through the Electricity Act and expanded metering programmes.
On inflation and economic hardship, it attributed global price increases to international conflicts, particularly tensions in the Middle East, describing them as external pressures affecting many economies worldwide.
The statement concluded with a firm rejection of Obi’s call for resignation, describing it as “political grandstanding” rather than genuine accountability.
It further accused the opposition figure of operating within “echo chambers” and being disconnected from current national realities, insisting that his claims were based on “imagination rather than fact.”
Presidency Blasts Obi Over Resignation Call, Calls It ‘Childish Distraction’
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