Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 election, has called on President Bola Tinubu to resign over what he described as failures in governance.
Obi made the call in a post on X on Monday.
Obi cites UK prime minister’s resignation plan
The former Anambra governor said he was inspired by the decision of British Prime Minister Keir Starmer to announce plans to step down amid public dissatisfaction with his administration.
According to Obi, leaders should accept responsibility when they fail to meet public expectations.
“This morning, I listened to the British Prime Minister’s speech announcing his planned resignation in July,” he said.
“As a keen observer of global politics, my primary interest lies in examining what successful nations do right and the structural factors that cause others to lag or struggle with governance and development.”
References Tinubu’s criticism of Jonathan
Furthermore, Obi recalled Tinubu’s criticism of former President Goodluck Jonathan over insecurity and economic challenges before the 2015 election.
He said Tinubu had demanded Jonathan’s resignation following the abduction of schoolgirls in Chibok.
“Before 2015, our President on several occasions championed the call for the then President Goodluck Jonathan to resign over economic hardship and insecurity affecting Nigerians,” Obi said.
“During the Chibok school kidnapping incident, he demanded the immediate resignation of President Jonathan.”
‘Conditions have worsened’
Meanwhile, Obi argued that many of the promises Tinubu made during the 2023 election campaign remain unfulfilled.
He cited electricity supply, insecurity and economic hardship as areas where he believes the government has underperformed.
“During the 2023 election campaign, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu made several promises, including improved electricity supply,” he said.
“At present, however, these conditions have worsened.”
“Electricity supply remains unreliable, insecurity has intensified in many areas, including kidnappings, and economic hardship has deepened rather than eased.”
‘I join Nigerians calling for his resignation’
In addition, Obi said Tinubu’s resignation would promote accountability in public office and strengthen democratic culture.
“I, therefore, join Nigerians of goodwill in calling for the resignation of the President over monumental failure in governance,” he said.
“Such a gesture would help enthrone a political culture rooted in accountability and responsibility, rather than further entrenching impunity.”
According to Obi, public office should be treated as a trust rather than an entitlement.
“Only by ending the culture of impunity can we secure a better future for the society our children will inherit in a New Nigeria that is possible,” he added.
