The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to step aside ahead of the 2027 general election, arguing that Nigeria needs a more energetic leader to tackle its economic and security challenges.
Speaking during Sunday Politics on Channels Television, the former Anambra State governor criticised the current administration, saying the country was facing increasing hardship and required stronger leadership.
According to Obi, the Tinubu who governed Lagos State is different from the president currently leading Nigeria.
“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 claimed that the current administration has not provided the leadership needed to address the nation’s pressing problems.
“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 urged Nigerians to focus less on politics and more on issues affecting everyday life, including poverty, hunger, education and insecurity.
He warned that recent global projections suggest nearly 79 per cent of Nigerians could fall below the poverty line if urgent action is not taken, while millions more face the risk of food insecurity.
The former governor also reacted to recent remarks by United States President Donald Trump, who commended Tinubu’s efforts in tackling insecurity.
While acknowledging the praise, Obi maintained that more needed to be done to improve the country’s security situation.
“Thank you to Donald Trump. Thank you to President Trump. But we need to do more, far more than what we are doing,” Obi said.
He added that although some people believe the president has done his best, the current situation in the country demands stronger action.
“I’ve heard people, and Donald Trump is now confirming it, say he has done his best. But with the crisis we are facing, his best is not enough. We need to do more,” Obi concluded.
