The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr. Peter Obi, has called on President Bola Tinubu to step aside before the 2027 general election, saying Nigeria needs a leader with the energy and ability to tackle the country’s growing economic and security problems.
Obi made the remarks during an interview on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, where he criticised the President’s performance since taking office.
According to the former Anambra State governor, the Bola Tinubu who governed Lagos State is different from the one 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.
Obi said Nigeria was moving in the wrong direction under the current administration and argued that the President no longer had the capacity to solve the country’s challenges.
He expressed concern over rising poverty, hunger and insecurity, saying these issues should be the focus of national discussions instead of politics.
Quoting recent poverty projections, Obi said more than 180 million Nigerians could be living in poverty, adding that the country should also pay more attention to education, healthcare and the proper use of public funds.
On food insecurity, Obi said the 2027 election should be about improving the lives of ordinary Nigerians.
He also reacted to comments by United States President Donald Trump, who recently praised Tinubu’s efforts to tackle insecurity. Obi welcomed the recognition but insisted that much more needed to be done.
“His best is not enough. We need to do more,” Obi said.
The former governor pointed to recent mass kidnappings in Zamfara State as evidence that insecurity remained a serious national problem.
Obi argued that reducing poverty and investing in education were key to addressing insecurity, saying people should be given better opportunities instead of being left in hardship.
He promised that, if elected president, protecting the lives of Nigerians would be his top priority.
“Whatever it takes to secure any Nigerian, I will do that,” he said.
Speaking on his 2027 ambition, Obi said he was not desperate to become president but wanted to see Nigeria succeed.
“I’m not desperate to be Nigerian president. I’m desperate to see Nigeria work,” he said.
He added that he would support any leader capable of delivering good governance, regardless of political affiliation.
Obi concluded by saying his vision is to build a peaceful and united Nigeria where every citizen has equal opportunities, regardless of ethnicity or religion.
