The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Peter Obi, has called on President Bola Tinubu to step aside before the 2027 election, saying Nigeria needs a leader with the energy and capacity to tackle its economic and security problems.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, Obi said Tinubu’s performance had fallen short of what Nigeria needs.
“The Bola Tinubu that was governor is not the one that is president today. He’s tired. He should be allowed to retire in peace and then go home.”
Obi said Nigeria was heading in the wrong direction under Tinubu and argued that the President lacked the capacity to do the job.
He cited rising poverty, hunger and insecurity, saying the country should focus on those problems instead of politics. He referenced World Bank projections that 79 per cent of Nigerians, more than 180 million people, could face poverty, as well as World Food Programme figures projecting hunger for 35 million Nigerians.
He also called for greater attention to out-of-school children, healthcare and missing public funds.
On Donald Trump’s praise of Tinubu’s security efforts, Obi said, “Thank you to Donald Trump. Thank you to President Trump. But we need to do more, far more than what we are doing.”
He pointed to mass abductions in Zamfara, including 40 people abducted on Wednesday and 50 on Thursday, as proof that Nigeria remained in crisis.
Obi said poverty reduction and major investment in education were key to reducing crime.
“If your people are dying, you should be ready to die. You’re the president. You’re the number one person.”
He said his 2027 ambition was driven by a desire to see Nigeria work, not by desperation for office.
“I’m not desperate to be Nigerian president. I’m desperate to see Nigeria work.”
Obi said he would support any leader who delivers good governance and wants a Nigeria that is “a Nigeria that is united and peaceful” with equal opportunities for all citizens regardless of ethnicity or religion.
