Obi asks Tinubu to resign over governance failure after Starmer’s exit

Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has called on President Bola Tinubu to resign, citing what he described as a “monumental failure” in governance.

Obi made the call after reacting to the resignation speech of British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who announced plans to step down following mounting public dissatisfaction over economic difficulties and unfulfilled campaign promises.

In a statement shared on X, the former Anambra governor said Tinubu’s administration now faces the same criticisms the president once directed at former President Goodluck Jonathan ahead of the 2015 general election.

Obi recalled that before assuming office, Tinubu repeatedly urged Jonathan to resign over worsening insecurity and economic challenges in the country, particularly after the abduction of schoolgirls in Chibok in 2014.

“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 wrote.

“During the Chibok school kidnapping incident, he demanded the immediate resignation of President Jonathan, arguing that the government had failed in its most fundamental duty of protecting lives.”

The NDC presidential candidate also pointed to promises Tinubu made during the 2023 election campaign, including commitments to improve electricity supply, fight corruption, and enhance citizens’ welfare.

According to Obi, the current administration has failed to fulfil those promises, as insecurity, poor electricity supply, and economic hardship have continued to worsen across the country.

“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,” he said.

Obi argued that Tinubu stepping down would help strengthen a culture of accountability in governance and demonstrate that elected officials must take responsibility for their performance in office.

“I, therefore, join Nigerians of goodwill in calling for the resignation of the President over monumental failure in governance,” Obi stated.

He added that such a move would help promote responsibility and accountability in public leadership rather than “further entrenching impunity.”