Nigeria needs new leadership — Peter Obi

Peter Obi, the presidential candidate for the Nigeria Democratic Congress, has called on President Bola Tinubu to step down ahead of the 2027 general election. Obi argued that Nigeria requires a leader with greater energy and capacity to address the nation's escalating economic and security crises.

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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.

During an interview on Channels Television's Sunday Politics, Obi contrasted Tinubu's performance as Lagos State governor with his current administration, stating, "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 believes Nigeria is heading in the wrong direction under the current leadership, asserting, "As it is right now, Bola Tinubu is leading us nowhere... The man should just step aside. Yes, he doesn’t have the capacity to do the job."

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As it is right now, Bola Tinubu is leading us nowhere. We will turn it so he can see it. That’s why maybe I’m calling for his retirement. The man should just step aside. Yes, he doesn’t have the capacity to do the job.

Obi expressed deep concern over Nigeria's increasing poverty, hunger, and insecurity. He stressed that public discourse should prioritize these pressing challenges over political maneuvering. Citing World Bank projections, he noted that approximately 79% of Nigerians, over 180 million people, face poverty. He also highlighted issues such as out-of-school children, healthcare deficiencies, and missing public funds that could be better invested.

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The World Bank has just said that 79 per cent of Nigerians are going to face poverty. In a country of 230 million people, that’s over 180 million. That should be the issue we should be discussing.

Addressing food insecurity, Obi contended that the 2027 election campaign should center on improving the lives of ordinary Nigerians. He mentioned a World Food Programme report indicating that 35 million Nigerians face hunger. While acknowledging a commendation of Tinubu's security efforts by former U.S. President Donald Trump, Obi insisted that significantly more action is needed. "Thank you to Donald Trump. But we need to do more, far more than what we are doing," he stated, adding that Tinubu's current efforts are insufficient given the scale of the crisis.

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Thank you to Donald Trump. But we need to do more, far more than what we are doing.