2027: Tinubu Doesn’t Have Energy, Competence To Run Nigeria — Obi

The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has criticised President Bola Tinubu over his governance track record, alleging that the President has spent over 260 days outside Nigeria since taking office but claims he cannot spare 36 days to campaign across the nation’s states.

Obi made the remarks on Thursday in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital, during a political meeting.

He was reacting to recent statements by President Tinubu, who indicated he might not campaign in all 36 states ahead of the 2027 general elections due to the demands of governance.

Declaring himself the leading candidate for the 2027 presidency, Obi asserted that the President lacks the physical energy and administrative competence to manage the country, urging him to step aside.

“President Tinubu has stayed over 260 days out of Nigeria, yet he cannot spend up to 36 days going around Nigeria to tell the people what he has been doing for the past three years,” the former Anambra governor said.

“He does not have the competence to run Nigeria; he does not have the energy to run Nigeria. He should pack his things, go home, and rest.”

Challenging the President to face the electorate directly, the presidential candidate urged Tinubu to visit Ebonyi State and account for his stewardship.

“I want President Tinubu to come to Abakaliki to tell the people what he has done in the past three years,” Obi stated.

“I want him to come to Abakaliki to tell you what he used the money he has been borrowing to do, and to tell Nigerians what he has used their money for.”

Addressing political unity, Obi warned against regional division in the South East, emphasising that his candidacy is anchored on merit and capacity rather than ethnic identity.

“Let nobody divide the South East. I don’t want the people of Ebonyi to vote for me because I am from the South East or because I am Igbo,” Obi declared.

“My dear people, I want you to vote for me because I am qualified to be the President of this country, and because I am the leading candidate.”

Outlining his vision if elected, Obi promised to declare a national state of emergency across seven critical sectors, including security, hunger, education, healthcare, corruption, power, and national unity.

“We must unite this country. Our pride should not be based on ethnic considerations.

“We will operate the Federal Character principle transparently for all public roles, ensuring every section of Nigeria is included,” he added.

“We will declare an emergency on the security of lives and property and deal with insecurity decisively. If kids are in school and someone abducts them into the bush, we will not leave them alone; we will equip our security agencies to defend our people.”

“I will fight corruption like nobody has fought it before. Public money must be used for public good; nobody will steal our money again. If you embezzle public funds, you will go to jail, starting from the President.”

Speaking further, he said, “We have over 18 million children out of school, and we must reduce that number drastically. On hunger, we have vast arable land; our farmers must safely return to their farms to cultivate food for local consumption and export.”

“We will ensure functional healthcare in every political ward across Nigeria. We have the resources required to achieve this.”