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By John Azu
The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Peter Obi, has renewed his call for President Bola Tinubu to resign or, at the very least, decline to seek re-election in 2027, citing what he described as the administration’s failures in governance, worsening insecurity, and alleged lack of empathy toward victims of violence.
In a statement issued on Monday by the spokesman of the Peter Obi Media Room, Zekeri Jnr, Obi argued that his position was driven by concern for Nigeria’s future rather than political considerations.
According to him, the Tinubu administration has failed to improve citizens’ welfare, while fresh allegations of corruption continue to emerge.
Drawing comparisons with the reaction to the 2014 Chibok schoolgirls’ abduction, Obi recalled that then-opposition leader Bola Tinubu had demanded the resignation of then-President Goodluck Jonathan after he delayed reaching out to the Borno State governor following the incident.
Obi said a similar situation has now unfolded under Tinubu’s administration, noting that more than 50 days have passed since the reported abduction of 39 schoolchildren and seven teachers from a school in Oyo State on May 15, without what he described as a meaningful show of solidarity from the President to Governor Seyi Makinde.
He maintained that the same standard applied to Jonathan should also apply to the current administration.
“The ultimate consequence of uncaring leadership, as observed in our nation today, is the transformation of citizens’ frustration into intense, volatile resentment. It becomes even more distressing when the leader presiding over such a collapse shows clear incapability and a lack of empathy.
“The government and citizens of Oyo State, more than 50 days following the abduction of schoolchildren with no substantial efforts made towards their rescue, should justifiably feel aggrieved and forsaken.
“Since this unfortunate event, I have publicly addressed the issue twice, including a direct appeal to the kidnappers for the release of the children. I have contacted the Governor twice to assure him of my solidarity, understanding that this is not merely an Oyo concern but a national tragedy,” he said.
Obi added that his visit also provided an opportunity to discuss security management with Governor Makinde, drawing from his experience as governor of Anambra State.
“During our two-hour discussion, I recounted my experiences addressing insecurity while serving as Governor of Anambra State. I reminisced about how Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo, Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, and Goodluck Jonathan would personally communicate with us multiple times whenever we faced significant security threats.
“To my astonishment, I learned that contrary to my assumption of regular communication regarding this crisis, Governor Seyi Makinde had received no calls whatsoever from President Bola Tinubu,” he lamented.
The former Anambra governor further recalled the Chibok abduction, insisting that Tinubu’s current handling of insecurity falls below the standard he once demanded of Jonathan.
“I distinctly remember the singular incident of a school abduction during President Goodluck Jonathan’s tenure—the case of the Chibok girls. This incident garnered both local and international attention. Despite security agencies providing almost daily updates, there was widespread outrage that President Jonathan took over two weeks to reach out to the then-State Chief Executive.
“I vividly recall that the current President, Bola Tinubu, led a vocal brigade demanding President Jonathan’s immediate resignation over the incident, citing his procrastination in contacting the state governor. Such a demand for immediate resignation should indeed apply to the current situation.
“Today, under President Tinubu’s administration, there have been more than thirteen instances of school kidnappings, and yet the President has found it exceedingly difficult to reach out to the chief executive of the affected state, despite over fifty days (more than seven weeks) having elapsed. This is simply unacceptable. There is reason to suspect that similar patterns may exist in other school abduction cases,” he added.
The NDC chieftain said the continued abduction of schoolchildren and other Nigerians demonstrates a collapse in governance and leadership.
“I cannot fathom any issue more pressing than the safety of our kidnapped children, their educators, and the numerous other Nigerians who are currently captives across the nation. It is now a clear reality that governance has completely unravelled under this administration.
“This situation illustrates a profound lack of capability and compassion, exacerbated by overt insensitivity. In light of such glaring incompetence, the President ought to either resign or, at the very least, refrain from seeking reelection for the welfare of our beloved country. This appeal is motivated by patriotism, not politics. A new Nigeria is Possible,” he stressed.