A chieftain of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, Peter Obi, has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to return to his retirement home if he cannot deliver the dividends of democracy to Nigerians.
Obi made the remark during the NDC aspirants dinner held in Abuja, where party leaders, aspirants, and stakeholders gathered ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The former Labour Party presidential candidate said Nigerians could no longer afford leaders who offer excuses instead of solutions to the country’s growing economic and social challenges.
According to him, the period for excuses in governance had passed, stressing that only competent, committed, and capable leaders should occupy public office.
“What I’m seeing I can change, and that’s why I want the office. I’m not looking for it to give excuses,” Obi said.
“We cannot hire people who will give us excuses again. The time for excuses has passed. If you cannot work now, go home,” he added.
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Obi maintained that leadership positions should only be occupied by individuals with the competence, passion, character, commitment, and capacity to effectively govern.
“The office is for people who have the competence, passion, capacity, commitment and character to lead,” he stated.
The former Anambra State governor has remained one of the leading opposition figures ahead of the 2027 presidential election, frequently criticising the government’s policies and performance of the Tinubu administration.
First Daily recalls that Obi and former presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, recently dumped the African Democratic Congress, ADC, for the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, citing internal divisions and legal disputes within the ADC as reasons for their defection.
The NDC has in recent weeks witnessed a wave of high-profile defections and political realignments as preparations intensify ahead of the next general elections.