Tinubu lacks capacity to end insecurity – Obi

Presidential candidate Peter Obi has sharply criticized President Bola Tinubu's administration, stating the leader "lacks the capacity" to tackle Nigeria's escalating security and economic crises. Obi, who ran on the Nigeria Democratic Congress ticket, urged Tinubu to "step aside," arguing that the country requires a different caliber of leadership.

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Donald Trump’s letter to him is to the effect that the man has done well in terms of fighting insurgency and terrorists. (We say) thank you to Donald Trump. Thank you to President Tinubu. But we need to do more, far more than what we are doing.

During an interview on Channels Television's Sunday Politics, Obi dismissed the idea that Tinubu's gubernatorial support would guarantee a 2027 election victory. He asserted that Nigerians, struggling with "hunger, insecurity and economic hardship," would ultimately decide the outcome. Obi also defended his own political history, refuted claims of discriminating against northerners, and reiterated his assertion that he won the 2023 presidential election.

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I’ve heard people say he has done his best. But with the crisis we are facing, his best is not enough. We need to do more.

Obi's remarks come as opposition parties strategize for the next general election, exploring alliances to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress. While acknowledging a reported commendation from U.S. President Donald Trump regarding counter-insurgency efforts, Obi argued that Nigeria's worsening insecurity demonstrated a need for significantly more action. "We need to do more, far more than what we are doing," he stated, citing recent abductions in Zamfara and Sokoto as evidence of the crisis.

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On Wednesday, 40 people were abducted in Zamfara. And the entire community, including everybody, has started packing to run away. On Thursday, 50 were kidnapped in Sokoto. So, we are in a crisis situation that requires added capacity.

If elected, Obi pledged to personally lead the fight against insecurity, stating, "I will be at the forefront. I’ll be the driver. Nobody, just me." He believes Nigeria is "drifting in the wrong direction" and can be steered onto the correct path within six months, asserting that Tinubu "doesn't have the capacity to do the job."

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Several times, I will be far more committed in dealing with that issue. And I will be at the forefront. I’ll be the driver. Nobody, just me. I will visit and go there to deal with it. Everybody will see it.