Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga has dismissed former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi’s call for President Bola Tinubu to resign, describing it as “childish,” “hollow,” and an attempt to score political points rather than hold the government accountable.
In a statement issued on Monday, Onanuga said Obi’s comparison of Nigeria’s situation with the recent resignation announcement by the British Prime Minister was misplaced, arguing that Nigeria operates a presidential system where elected leaders serve fixed terms.
According to him, recent electoral victories recorded by the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State and several legislative elections demonstrate continued public support for President Tinubu and his administration.
Onanuga accused Obi of presenting a distorted picture of the country’s situation, insisting that the Tinubu administration inherited deep-rooted economic and security challenges but has made measurable progress in addressing them.
He cited ongoing security operations across the country, saying thousands of terrorists had been neutralised while many kidnapped victims had been rescued.
He added that the administration had expanded investments in security through the deployment of technology, drones and other measures aimed at improving intelligence gathering and response capabilities.
On the economy, the presidential aide said Tinubu’s reforms had produced positive outcomes, including sustained GDP growth, increased government revenue, higher foreign reserves and improved oil production.
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He also pointed to gains in the stock market and increased investor confidence as evidence that the economy was on a recovery path.
Defending the administration’s infrastructure agenda, Onanuga highlighted major road projects, including the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and the Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway, describing them as transformative initiatives that would boost national development.
He also referenced policies such as the student loan scheme and the promotion of compressed natural gas as alternatives to petrol and diesel, saying the government was implementing innovative solutions to improve the lives of Nigerians.
Addressing Obi’s criticism of the power sector, Onanuga maintained that Tinubu never promised uninterrupted electricity supply for all Nigerians within a specific timeframe.
Instead, he said the president pledged to improve access to power and reduce reliance on estimated billing through reforms and increased deployment of prepaid meters.
While acknowledging that many Nigerians continue to face economic hardship, Onanuga argued that global factors, including tensions in the Middle East and disruptions to international supply chains, have contributed significantly to rising costs.
He said President Tinubu remains focused on implementing reforms and delivering long-term solutions rather than engaging in political rhetoric.
According to Onanuga, calls for the president’s resignation amount to a distraction from ongoing efforts to stabilise the economy, improve security and strengthen governance.
He concluded by stating that Nigeria remains on a path of progress under Tinubu’s leadership and accused Obi of operating within an “echo chamber” that fails to reflect realities on the ground.