The Presidency has dismissed calls by opposition politician, Peter Obi, for President Bola Tinubu to resign, describing the demand as baseless and politically motivated.
In a statement issued on Monday, Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said Obi’s remarks were intended to divert attention from recent electoral successes recorded by the ruling APC.
“Peter Obi’s call for President Tinubu’s resignation is childish and hollow,” Onanuga stated.
“It is not a call to hold the leader accountable. It is merely a political grandstand and an unworthy distraction.”
The Presidency accused Obi of creating a false comparison between Nigeria’s presidential system and the parliamentary structure practised in the United Kingdom.
According to the statement, Obi painted an inaccurate picture of the country’s political and economic realities.
The reaction followed Obi’s suggestion that Tinubu should emulate British Prime Minister Keir Starmer by stepping down over insecurity and economic difficulties.
Responding to the comparison, Onanuga argued that Obi ignored the constitutional framework guiding Nigeria’s democracy.
“Obi forgets our country does not run a parliamentary system of government like the UK,” he said.
“We run a presidential system, with the president elected to a fixed four-year term.”
The presidential aide also pointed to recent election victories recorded by the APC as evidence of public support for Tinubu’s administration.
According to him, voters in Ekiti State and parts of Nasarawa, Enugu, Ondo and Rivers States reaffirmed confidence in the ruling party.
“The election results show that President Tinubu and his party are popular with Nigerians,” Onanuga said.
He added that the outcome should worry Obi and his newly formed political platform ahead of the 2027 general election.
“Obi should wait until the presidential election to know what the people think of Tinubu’s government,” he stated.
“Moving to use X to harangue the President out of office is off the mark and anti-democratic.”
Onanuga further defended the administration’s handling of security challenges across the country.
He said military operations had recorded significant gains against terrorists and criminal groups.
According to him, security forces have rescued hundreds of kidnapped victims and dismantled several criminal strongholds.
The Presidency also rejected Obi’s claim that Nigeria is currently facing its worst period.
The statement maintained that Tinubu inherited serious economic challenges but has implemented reforms that are producing positive results.
It highlighted improvements in gross domestic product growth, foreign reserves, oil production and government revenue.
The Presidency also cited increasing investor confidence as evidence that economic reforms are yielding benefits.
Onanuga said the administration has recorded progress in infrastructure, education and electricity reforms.
He pointed to the student loan programme, major highway projects and the Electricity Act as examples of achievements.
The presidential aide also accused Obi of misrepresenting Tinubu’s campaign promises regarding power supply.
He said the opposition figure ignored reforms aimed at improving electricity generation and distribution nationwide.
While acknowledging rising living costs, the Presidency attributed part of the inflationary pressure to global events.
It cited tensions in the Middle East and disruptions in international supply chains as contributing factors.
Onanuga maintained that Tinubu remains focused on governance rather than political exchanges.
“Leadership is about determination to confront the challenges facing our country and the economy,” he said.
“President Tinubu focuses on solutions, not rhetoric—investing in reforms, stabilising the economy, improving security, and laying the groundwork for a more prosperous Nigeria.”
He added that the President has assembled a capable team to drive reforms and strengthen national development.
Onanuga accused Obi of operating within what he described as an unrealistic political narrative.
“With his puerile tweet on X, we are now convinced that Peter Obi lives in his self-constructed echo chambers,” he said.
“We sympathise with him. That reality he fantasises about is mostly a figment of his imagination.”
