Obi questions Tinubu’s competence as reports outline his plans for Nigeria

Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has intensified his criticism of President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general election, declaring that the Nigerian leader lacks the energy and competence required to continue running the country.

Obi made the remarks on Thursday during an NDC town hall and stakeholders’ meeting in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, where he presented himself as a leading alternative to the incumbent administration.

The former Anambra State governor argued that Nigeria requires a president who is physically available, committed to addressing national problems and capable of providing decisive leadership at a time when millions of Nigerians are facing economic and social difficulties.

According to Obi, Tinubu should not seek another term in office because, in his assessment, the President does not possess the capacity required to manage the country’s growing challenges.

“President Tinubu does not have the competence to run Nigeria. He does not have the energy to run Nigeria. He should pack his things, go home and rest,” Obi said.

His comments represent another escalation in the political contest expected to dominate national discourse as Nigeria moves closer to the 2027 presidential election.

Obi Challenges Tinubu Over His Record

During his appearance in Abakaliki, Obi challenged Tinubu to explain what his administration had achieved during its first three years in office.

The NDC presidential candidate specifically questioned the Federal Government’s borrowing activities and asked the President to account for how borrowed funds had been spent.

Obi said Nigerians deserve clear explanations about the government’s use of public resources and should be able to assess whether the administration’s policies have produced meaningful improvements in their lives.

“I want President Tinubu to come to Abakaliki to tell the people what he has done in the past three years,” Obi said.

He also questioned the President’s decision not to campaign in every state ahead of the 2027 election.

Tinubu had indicated that he might not visit all 36 states during the campaign period because governing the country requires his attention.

Obi used the issue to question the President’s availability, arguing that a leader who has spent considerable time outside Nigeria should be able to dedicate time to meeting citizens across the country and explaining his administration’s record.

He claimed that Tinubu had spent more than 260 days outside Nigeria since becoming President and contrasted that figure with the 36 states of the federation.

The former Anambra governor argued that visiting Nigerians across the country should not be considered an unreasonable demand for a president seeking another four-year mandate.

Obi Calls for Leadership Based on Competence

Beyond his criticism of Tinubu, Obi also used the Abakaliki gathering to warn against allowing ethnic considerations to determine voting decisions in the South-East.

Although he is from the region, Obi said he did not want Nigerians to support his presidential ambition simply because of his ethnic background.

He urged voters to evaluate candidates according to their qualifications, capacity and ability to deliver effective governance.

“Let nobody divide the South-East. I don’t want the people of Ebonyi to vote for me because I am from the South-East. I don’t want you to vote for me because I am an Igbo person,” he said.

Obi insisted that his campaign should be judged on what he described as his preparedness to govern Nigeria rather than regional identity.

“My dear people, I want you to vote for me because I am qualified to be the President of this country. I want you to vote for me because I am the leading candidate,” he added.

The message reflects Obi’s attempt to position his campaign as a national political project rather than one built primarily around support from the South-East.

Seven Areas of Emergency

Obi also outlined some of the priorities he said would receive immediate attention if he wins the 2027 presidential election.

The NDC candidate said his administration would declare emergencies in several critical areas, including security, hunger, education, healthcare, corruption, power and national unity.

On security, he promised a tougher response to terrorism, kidnapping and other forms of insecurity.

He said security agencies would be properly equipped to protect Nigerians and respond to threats against communities.

Obi particularly highlighted the problem of children being abducted from schools, saying his administration would not allow such incidents to continue without a decisive response.

He also promised an aggressive campaign against corruption, arguing that public resources must be used for the benefit of Nigerians.

According to him, anyone found guilty of stealing public funds should face the law regardless of their position, including the President.

The NDC candidate further identified education as a major area requiring urgent intervention.

He claimed that more than 18 million Nigerian children are currently out of school and said reducing that number would be one of the priorities of his government.

Obi argued that Nigeria could not achieve sustainable development while a large portion of its young population remained outside the education system.

Food Production and Healthcare

Food security also featured prominently in Obi’s proposed agenda.

He argued that Nigeria possesses enough arable land to feed its population but needs better security and stronger support for farmers.

According to him, farmers must be able to return safely to their farms so that agricultural production can increase and the country can reduce its dependence on food imports.

He linked insecurity in rural communities to Nigeria’s food crisis, noting that farmers cannot produce efficiently when they are afraid to access their farmland.

Healthcare was another area Obi said would receive emergency attention under his proposed administration.

He promised functional healthcare facilities across Nigeria’s political wards, arguing that citizens should not have to travel long distances before accessing basic medical services.

The former Anambra governor maintained that Nigeria has sufficient resources to improve healthcare delivery if public funds are properly managed.

A Broader Political Contest

Obi’s latest comments come as political activities surrounding the 2027 presidential election become increasingly intense.

The NDC has positioned itself as an opposition platform seeking to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), with Obi at the centre of its presidential campaign.

The party has been building its structures and preparing its campaign machinery as it seeks to present Nigerians with an alternative to the current administration.

Obi has repeatedly argued that Nigeria needs a change in leadership, while Tinubu and the APC have continued to defend the administration’s policies and direction.

The former Anambra governor’s latest attack therefore adds another significant layer to an already heated political contest.

His criticism is not limited to the President’s performance but also focuses on the qualities he believes Nigeria’s next leader should possess.

For Obi, availability, competence, accountability and the ability to respond quickly to national problems should be central considerations when Nigerians choose their next president.

2027 Election Takes Shape

As the 2027 election approaches, issues surrounding the economy, insecurity, unemployment, education, healthcare and corruption are expected to dominate political campaigns.

Obi is attempting to make those issues central to his own campaign while portraying himself as a candidate capable of providing a different style of governance.

His remarks in Ebonyi also indicate that he intends to campaign beyond traditional regional support and appeal directly to voters across Nigeria.

Whether that strategy can translate into electoral success will ultimately depend on how Nigerians assess the competing candidates, their records and their promises when voting day arrives.

For now, Obi’s message is clear: he believes Tinubu should leave office after his current tenure and that Nigeria needs a new president with greater energy and competence.

The President and his supporters will ultimately have the opportunity to respond to those criticisms as the political battle for 2027 gathers momentum.

With the election approaching, the debate over Tinubu’s record, Obi’s alternative vision and the direction Nigeria should take is likely to become even more prominent across the country.