Sunday Dare, former minister of sports development and special adviser to President Bola Tinubu on media and public communications, says Peter Obi is no longer a political threat to the president ahead of the 2027 election.
Dare spoke during an interview on Seun Okinbaloye’s Mic On podcast.
‘Government not afraid of Obi’
Dare dismissed claims that the Tinubu administration is worried about Obi’s political influence.
He said the government has every right to respond to the former Anambra governor’s criticisms.
“This government is not afraid of Peter Obi,” he said.
“The same right Peter Obi has to ask President Tinubu to resign is the same right the government has to respond to him.”
“There’s no basis, there’s no reason for the president to resign.”
Says Obi misunderstands Nigeria’s system
Furthermore, Dare said Obi’s call for Tinubu’s resignation showed a poor understanding of Nigeria’s presidential system.
He noted that leadership changes come through elections, not resignation.
“We run a presidential system,” he said.
“We have elections every four years.”
“That is when citizens decide whether to reward or reject a government.”
‘Obi no longer a threat’
Meanwhile, Dare said Obi may have posed a challenge in 2023 but no longer does.
He attributed the change to what he described as Tinubu’s performance in office.
“Maybe before, Peter Obi was a threat,” he said.
“Right now, Peter Obi is no threat.”
“We stand on solid ground of performance.”
“We have a scorecard to show.”
Predicts Obi won’t repeat Lagos victory
Dare also argued that Obi would not repeat his 2023 presidential victory in Lagos state.
He said the political landscape has changed since the last election.
“Peter Obi is not a nightmare to President Bola Tinubu,” he said.
“That was 2023.”
“We’re talking about 2027.”
“It won’t happen again.”
