The presidency has rejected Peter Obi’s claim that President Bola Tinubu promised Nigerians 24-hour electricity during the 2023 election campaign.
It described the allegation as a misrepresentation of Tinubu’s remarks.
Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), had asked Tinubu to step down over alleged failures in governance, citing insecurity, unreliable electricity supply and worsening economic hardship.
In a statement shared via his official X account on Monday, Obi cited the resignation of British Prime Minister Keir Starmer as an example of how leaders should take responsibility when they fail to meet public expectations.
Obi also recalled Tinubu’s criticism of former President Goodluck Jonathan during the Chibok schoolgirls abduction crisis, when Tinubu demanded Jonathan’s resignation over insecurity.
He said Tinubu made several promises during the 2023 election campaign, including improvements in electricity supply, security and citizens’ welfare, but argued that conditions had worsened.
“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,” Obi said.
But responding, Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, said Obi’s comparison between Nigeria and the United Kingdom ignored the difference between both political systems.
“Peter Obi’s latest comments calling for President Bola Tinubu’s resignation, based on a comparison with the British Prime Minister’s voluntary exit, are not only misplaced but also reflect a selective and distorted view of Nigeria’s realities since 2023,” Onanuga said.
He said Nigeria operates a presidential system, where presidents are elected for fixed four-year terms, unlike the parliamentary system in the UK.
Onanuga argued that Nigerians would decide Tinubu’s performance during the 2027 presidential election rather than calls on social media.
“Obi should wait until the presidential election to know what the people think of Tinubu’s government,” he said.
The presidential aide also mentioned recent election victories recorded by the All Progressives Congress (APC) as proof that Tinubu and the party still command support of Nigerians.
On security, Onanuga said the Tinubu administration inherited longstanding challenges but had increased efforts to tackle terrorism and kidnapping.
He said more than 15,000 terrorists had been taken off the streets and forests, while security operations had been expanded with the use of technology and drones.
The presidency also rejected Obi’s description of Nigeria’s economic situation as “the worst possible condition.”
Onanuga said the administration had recorded improvements in areas including foreign reserves, oil production, revenue generation and investment inflows.
He said foreign reserves had risen above $50 billion, oil production increased to about 1.8 million barrels per day, and federation revenue was projected to exceed N30 trillion.
On power supply, Onanuga accused Obi of misrepresenting Tinubu’s 2023 campaign promise. He said the president did not promise 24-hour electricity for all Nigerians.
“Concerning President Tinubu’s campaign promises on power supply, it is misleading for Peter Obi to parrot the claim that candidate Tinubu guaranteed 24-hour electricity for all. What he actually said on that occasion in Lagos and which Obi and his followers have consistently misquoted, for the sake of mischief, was: “Whichever way, by all means necessary, you will have electricity, and you will not pay for estimated bills anymore. A promise made will be a promise kept. If I don’t keep the promise and I come for a second term, don’t vote for me—unless I give you adequate reasons why I couldn’t deliver.,” said Onanuga.
The presidential aide said Tinubu’s administration had signed the Electricity Act, expanded prepaid meter deployment and invested in alternative power sources.
He added that the government had also introduced student loans and maintained an uninterrupted academic calendar during Tinubu’s tenure.
Onanuga attributed part of Nigeria’s economic difficulties to global pressures, including disruptions linked to tensions in the Middle East.
He stressed, “Peter Obi’s call for President Tinubu’s resignation is childish and hollow. It is not a call to hold the leader accountable. It is merely a political grandstand and an unworthy distraction.”
(The Whistler)
