The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, has described the NDC presidential candidate Peter Obi’s recent call for President Bola Tinubu to resign as “childish” and an “unwarranted distraction” that misrepresents Nigeria’s governance system and progress under the current administration.
In a strongly worded statement issued on Monday, Mr Onanuga criticised the Labour Party leader’s comparison of President Tinubu’s position with the voluntary resignation of the British prime minister, noting that Nigeria operates a presidential system with fixed four-year terms rather than a parliamentary one.
He argued that Obi’s remarks reflect a “selective and distorted view” of the country’s realities since May 2023.
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Onanuga pointed to recent electoral successes by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State and senatorial districts in Nasarawa, Enugu, Ondo, and Rivers as evidence of President Tinubu’s popularity.
“The election results, some early referendum of sorts, show that President Tinubu and his party are popular with Nigerians,” he said.
He urged Obi to await the 2027 presidential election rather than using social media platform X to “harangue” the president, describing such actions as “anti-democratic”.
The presidential adviser acknowledged ongoing security challenges but emphasised measurable progress under President Tinubu.
He highlighted the rescue of hundreds of captives, the neutralisation of terrorist leaders, and the removal of over 15,000 terrorists from circulation.
The administration has expanded security investments through advanced technologies, drones, and the appointment of a Special Adviser on Homeland Security.
Onanuga contrasted this with Obi’s record as governor of Anambra State, citing comments from his successor, Willie Obiano, on his predecessor’s performance.
On the economy, Onanuga rejected Obi’s portrayal of decline, stating that President Tinubu inherited a struggling economy but has delivered positive quarterly GDP growth exceeding the global average, consistent trade surpluses, and foreign reserves above $50 billion.
Oil production has risen to approximately 1.8 million barrels per day, while federation revenue is projected to surpass N30 trillion this year significantly higher than the N7.7 trillion recorded in 2022. The stock market has seen the All-Share Index climb from 50,000 to over 250,000, benefiting millions of investors.
The statement also highlighted infrastructure achievements, including durable concrete roads across geopolitical zones and long-planned projects such as the Lagos-Calabar and Sokoto-Badagry superhighways.
Initiatives like the transition to compressed natural gas (CNG) and interest-free loans for nearly two million tertiary students were cited as evidence of innovation.
Onanuga noted the absence of academic disruptions by unions like ASUU, fulfilling a key campaign promise.
Addressing power supply, he clarified that President Tinubu had not promised 24-hour electricity universally but committed to reliable supply and ending estimated billing.
The Electricity Act has enabled states to generate and distribute power independently, with millions of prepaid meters deployed and more planned. Off-grid solar solutions have also been extended to key institutions.
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While recognising cost-of-living pressures, Mr Onanuga attributed many global commodity challenges to recent Middle East tensions.
He dismissed Obi’s call as “hollow” political grandstanding issued shortly after APC’s weekend victories, contrasting it with President Tinubu’s focus on reforms, stability, and long-term prosperity.
“True leadership means staying the course, learning, adapting, and delivering results,” Onanuga concluded, asserting that Nigeria is progressing under President Tinubu’s leadership.
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