Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has called on President Bola Tinubu to step aside, arguing that the Nigerian leader no longer has the capacity to effectively address the country’s growing economic and security challenges.
Speaking during an interview on Channels Television on Sunday, Obi said Nigeria was on the wrong path under the current administration and maintained that the country required younger, more energetic and committed leaders to reverse its fortunes.
The former Anambra State governor said the Tinubu who governed Lagos State was different from the President currently leading the nation.
“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.
He further argued that Tinubu should relinquish power because, in his view, the administration had failed to provide the leadership needed to confront Nigeria’s pressing challenges.
“As it is right now, Bola Tinubu is leading us nowhere. We will turn it so he can see it. That’s why maybe I’m calling for his retirement. The man should just step aside. Yes, he doesn’t have the capacity to do the job,” he stated.
Obi also criticised the Federal Government’s handling of poverty, hunger and insecurity, insisting that these issues should dominate public debate ahead of the 2027 general election instead of political calculations.
Referencing recent assessments by international development agencies, he warned that rising poverty and food insecurity demanded urgent government attention.
“The World Bank has just said that 79 per cent of Nigerians are going to face poverty. In a country of 230 million people, that’s over 180 million. That should be the issue we should be discussing,” he said.
He further expressed concern over the increasing number of out-of-school children, challenges in the healthcare sector and persistent cases of kidnapping across the country, urging political leaders to prioritise policies that improve the welfare and security of Nigerians.
“The World Food Programme has just said 35 million Nigerians are going to face hunger. Nigerians are being kidnapped. Let’s talk about Nigeria,” Obi added.
