The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, has strongly criticized former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, over his recent call for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to resign from office.
In a statement issued on Sunday, Onanuga described Obi’s comments as “childish,” “misplaced,” and an attempt to distract Nigerians from what he described as the administration’s achievements in security, economic reforms, infrastructure, and education.
The presidential aide argued that Obi’s comparison of Nigeria’s political system with that of the United Kingdom was fundamentally flawed, noting that Nigeria operates a presidential system with constitutionally fixed terms, unlike the parliamentary structure in Britain.
According to Onanuga, recent electoral victories recorded by the ruling party in parts of the country demonstrate continued public support for President Tinubu and should serve as an indication of the administration’s growing acceptance among Nigerians.
“Peter Obi should wait for the next presidential election if he wishes to test the popularity of President Tinubu’s government,” Onanuga said, adding that using social media campaigns to pressure a sitting president to resign was contrary to democratic principles.
Defending the administration’s security record, Onanuga maintained that President Tinubu inherited longstanding security challenges but has made measurable progress in combating terrorism, banditry, and kidnapping.
He cited the rescue of captives in various military operations, the neutralization of terrorist leaders, and intensified security deployments across the country. He also pointed to increased investment in security technology, including the deployment of drones and the establishment of the Office of the Special Adviser on Homeland Security.
Onanuga further questioned Obi’s credentials on security matters, claiming that the former Anambra governor faced similar challenges during his tenure in the state.
The presidential spokesman also rejected Obi’s characterization of Nigeria’s economy as being in decline, insisting that economic indicators show significant improvement since Tinubu assumed office in May 2023. He highlighted sustained quarterly GDP growth, increased foreign reserves, improved oil production, higher government revenues, and a strong performance in the Nigerian stock market as evidence of economic recovery.
According to him, the administration’s reforms, including the removal of fuel subsidies and efforts to attract foreign investment, have strengthened the nation’s economic outlook and increased resources available to state governments for development projects.
Onanuga also credited the Tinubu administration with accelerating infrastructure development through major highway projects, including the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and the Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway.
He further praised government initiatives aimed at expanding access to education, particularly the student loan programme, which provides interest-free loans to tertiary institution students.
The presidential aide noted that Nigeria’s tertiary institutions have witnessed an unprecedented period of academic stability under the current administration, with no major disruptions from university-based labour unions.
Addressing criticism of the administration’s performance in the power sector, Onanuga accused Obi and his supporters of misrepresenting President Tinubu’s campaign promises on electricity supply.
He said the Electricity Act signed by Tinubu has empowered states to generate and distribute electricity independently while efforts to eliminate estimated billing through the rollout of prepaid meters are ongoing.
The government, he added, is also investing in off-grid solar projects and expanding power generation capacity while tackling transmission challenges.
Onanuga dismissed Obi’s demand for Tinubu’s resignation as political grandstanding rather than a genuine attempt to hold the government accountable.
He argued that despite persistent challenges such as the high cost of living, the administration remains focused on reforms designed to stabilize the economy, improve security, and lay the foundation for long-term national development.
“President Tinubu focuses on solutions, not rhetoric,” Onanuga stated, stating that the government remains committed to delivering on its promises and steering Nigeria toward sustained progress.
The statement marks the latest exchange in the growing political rivalry between the presidency and Obi, as political actors begin positioning themselves ahead of the 2027 general elections.
