Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has questioned President Bola Tinubu’s control of his administration, saying the President should personally account to Nigerians on major issues rather than rely on aides and associates to speak for him.
Obi spoke on Thursday, September 10, 2026, during an interview on Arise TV, where he addressed insecurity, petrol prices, corruption and his plans for the 2027 presidential election.
“Sometimes I believe Tinubu is not in charge. All these things that his people are talking, he should be the one talking,” Obi said.
He added, “Nobody will talk for Peter Obi. I will talk to my people,” contrasting what he described as his approach to communicating directly with Nigerians.
The former Anambra State governor also criticized Tinubu’s foreign trips, urging the President to spend three days in states grappling with insecurity.
Obi specifically mentioned Zamfara, Sokoto, Plateau and Kano, saying Tinubu should visit the affected areas and assess the security situation firsthand.
His comments came two days after his convoy was obstructed in Benue while he was travelling to Yelwata to sympathize with victims of recent attacks. Obi alleged political involvement in the incident, a claim rejected by the Benue State Government.
Obi also dismissed suggestions linking him to the killing of Sir Ahmadu Bello, former Premier of Northern Nigeria, during the January 1966 coup.
“I was a baby when all these happened,” he said, urging Nigerians to move beyond historical grievances and focus on building the country through “love, unity and progress.”
Obi expressed confidence that Nigerians would see a significant difference within four years if elected.
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The NDC candidate identified insecurity as one of Nigeria’s most pressing challenges, saying it had restricted farming and disrupted the movement of goods. He expressed confidence that Nigerians would see a significant difference within four years if elected.
He pledged to begin restructuring the security architecture from his first week in office, including appointing capable security chiefs.
“My first week, I will appoint capable security chiefs. Even if I am going to retain those that are there, they will know that a new Commander-in-Chief has arrived,” he said.
Obi also promised to deploy drones, satellite surveillance and other technology to strengthen security operations. He backed state police and ruled out paying ransom to kidnappers.
“I will do whatever it takes to secure the country. I believe in state police. I will not pay ransom,” he said.
On petrol prices, Obi said he would tackle corruption within the subsidy system to reduce the cost of fuel.
“I will remove corruption from subsidy. When I remove it, petrol and every other thing will go down,” he said.
He argued that Nigeria’s status as an oil-producing country should translate into greater benefits for its citizens.
Obi also appealed to voters in Northern Nigeria, promising to prioritise poverty reduction, healthcare and skills development.
Obi was unveiled as the NDC’s presidential candidate on May 30, 2026, ahead of the 2027 presidential election.