National Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has said President Bola Tinubu has done his best in addressing Nigeria’s security challenges but should now “go home and rest,” arguing that the country requires leadership with greater capacity to tackle its growing problems.
Obi made the remarks during an interview with media entrepreneur Chude Jideonwo, published on YouTube on Thursday, while responding to questions about why Nigerians should support his presidential ambition over other opposition candidates.
Asked why he deserves to be elected president, Obi urged Nigerians to evaluate his track record alongside the vision he has presented for the country.
“It’s for you to look at my past and look at what I’m saying now,” he said.
Responding to recent comments by the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, who said Tinubu had done his best to tackle insecurity, Obi agreed with the respected cleric’s assessment.
“Somebody asked me yesterday, they said that Pastor Adeboye said Tinubu has tried his best and he’s not happy.
“And I said, no, Pastor Adeboye remains a very revered, respected religious father, whom I believe in his genuineness and goodness.
“And what he said was correct. He said he has tried his best. He’s trying his best. That’s it. It’s the correct answer.
“The question to ask is: Is his best good enough? Where we find ourselves today, that leads to the issue of capacity,” Obi said.
The former Anambra State governor maintained that effective leadership goes beyond good intentions, insisting that competence and capacity are essential to solving the country’s security and economic challenges.
“When I talk about leadership, I say competence, capacity, compassion, commitment, character. These are the issues. President Tinubu is tired. He needs to go home and rest,” he added.
Obi’s comments follow remarks made by Pastor Adeboye during the US-Nigeria Faith Heroes Award Gala in Washington, D.C., where the cleric defended the President against criticism over worsening insecurity.
Adeboye argued that Tinubu had fulfilled his responsibility as Commander-in-Chief by issuing directives to the military, noting that it was not the President’s duty to personally participate in military operations.
“I don’t support those who are accusing the president of not doing enough. When the commander-in-chief has given instructions to his subordinates, he has done his bit. You don’t expect him to go and put on khaki and fight,” the cleric had said.
Despite his defence of the President, Adeboye expressed concern over the country’s worsening security situation, revealing that he had advised Tinubu to give military commanders a 90-day ultimatum to end insecurity or resign, while also calling for decisive action against sponsors of terrorism.