Peter Obi presents additional arguments why President Tinubu should resign or recuse himself from the 2027 election
The Presidential Candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, and former governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi, has reiterated his call for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to resign due to his failures in governance, which have adversely affected the welfare of citizens and have resulted in ever-increasing revelations of corruption.
The Presidential Candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, and former governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi, has reiterated his call for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to resign due to his failures in governance, which have adversely affected the welfare of citizens and have resulted in ever-increasing revelations of corruption.
As more facts come to light, Obi, the former presidential candidate of the Labour Party in 2023, emphasises that the President should step down, having demonstrably failed the populace.
He cautions Nigerians not to interpret this appeal as politically motivated, asserting that it is fundamentally in Nigeria's best interest.
Obi recalls that in 2014, following the abduction of the Chibok girls, then-President Goodluck Jonathan delayed for 19 days before contacting the then-Governor of Borno State, justifying his inaction by stating that the military was providing daily updates. At that time, Bola Tinubu, then an opposition leader, and his associates demanded Jonathan’s resignation, accusing him of failing in his leadership and compassion. However, it has now been 52 days since May 15, 2026, when 39 schoolchildren and seven teachers were kidnapped from their school in Oyo State, and President Tinubu has yet to offer a significant gesture of solidarity to Governor Seyi Makinde.
In light of this evident display of incapacity and insensitivity, one must ask: Is the President still competent to remain in office?
"This question is posed by Peter Obi, a prominent opposition leader and the NDC's Presidential Candidate, in a compelling post on his X account this Monday morning entitled 'Worsening Leadership Crisis in the Country Now Evident."
Obi stated that "the ultimate consequence of uncaring leadership, as observed in our nation today, is the transformation of citizens' frustration into intense, volatile resentment. It becomes even more distressing when the leader presiding over such a collapse shows clear incapability and a lack of empathy.
"The government and citizens of Oyo State, more than 50 days following the abduction of schoolchildren with no substantial efforts made towards their rescue, should justifiably feel aggrieved and forsaken.
"Since this unfortunate event, I have publicly addressed the issue twice, including a direct appeal to the kidnappers for the release of the children. I have contacted the Governor twice to assure him of my solidarity, understanding that this is not merely an Oyo concern but a national tragedy.
"On Friday, July 3, I chose to travel to Ibadan with Prof. Pat Utomi to express my physical solidarity with the Governor, as over fifty days had passed without the return of the children, and with many others still held captive nationwide.
"During our two-hour discussion, I recounted my experiences addressing insecurity while serving as Governor of Anambra State. I reminisced about how Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo, Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, and Goodluck Jonathan would personally communicate with us multiple times whenever we faced significant security threats.
"To my astonishment, I learned that contrary to my assumption of regular communication regarding this crisis, Governor Seyi Makinde had received no calls whatsoever from President Bola Tinubu.
"I distinctly remember the singular incident of a school abduction during President Goodluck Jonathan’s tenure—the case of the Chibok girls. This incident garnered both local and international attention. Despite security agencies providing almost daily updates, there was widespread outrage that President Jonathan took over two weeks to reach out to the then-State Chief Executive.
"I vividly recall that the current President, Bola Tinubu, led a vocal brigade demanding President Jonathan’s immediate resignation over the incident, citing his procrastination in contacting the state governor. Such a demand for immediate resignation should indeed apply to the current situation.
"Today, under President Tinubu’s administration, there have been more than thirteen instances of school kidnappings, and yet the President has found it exceedingly difficult to reach out to the chief executive of the affected state, despite over 50 days (more than seven weeks) having elapsed. This is simply unacceptable. There is reason to suspect that similar patterns may exist in other school abduction cases.
"I cannot fathom any issue more pressing than the safety of our kidnapped children, their educators, and the numerous other Nigerians who are currently captives across the nation. It is now a clear reality that governance has completely unravelled under this administration
"This situation illustrates a profound lack of capability and compassion, exacerbated by overt insensitivity. In light of such glaring incompetence, the President ought to either resign or, at the very least, refrain from seeking reelection for the welfare of our beloved country. This appeal is motivated by patriotism, not politics. A new Nigeria is Possible."
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