SUNTV Global Channel Report
The Presidency has launched a sharp rebuttal against former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, describing him as a “bitter” politician and an “abysmal failure” as a governor, following his recent defection to the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
President Bola Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Bayo Onanuga, made the remarks in a statement issued on Wednesday, reacting to Obi’s recent public appearances and political realignment.
According to Onanuga, Obi’s lingering resentment over the outcome of the 2023 presidential election was evident in his recent comments, accusing him of masking bitterness with intellectual posturing.
“At his event, Obi’s bitterness was evident,” Onanuga said. “What concerned me most were his repeated references to books, professors, and foreign nations to support his claim that he understands the secrets of national development and should therefore be entrusted with Nigeria.”
He dismissed Obi’s record in office, describing his eight-year tenure as governor of Anambra State as unimpressive.
“This posturing should be taken with a pinch of salt, coming from a politician who was an abysmal failure in a small state like Anambra, which he governed for eight years,” Onanuga stated.
Questioning Obi’s leadership credentials, the presidential aide argued that the former governor lacks the depth of experience required to govern a complex country like Nigeria.
“Because Obi sorely lacks leadership pedigree beyond being a successful importer, only the madman he consults in Onitsha would be comfortable handing over Nigeria to him,” he added.
Onanuga also criticised Obi’s frequent references to foreign development models, warning that blindly adopting policies from other countries could be counterproductive.
“Nations are not identical. What worked in Indonesia or the United States may not necessarily work in Nigeria,” he said. “No country can move forward by copying and pasting models from elsewhere. Nations need original thinkers, not copycats. Homegrown solutions are essential for sustainable development.”
In contrast, Onanuga highlighted what he described as major achievements of the Tinubu administration since assuming office on May 29, 2023.
He noted that the administration has restructured the economy, removed what it considers wasteful petrol subsidies, and reduced Nigeria’s dependence on oil by prioritising gas development and attracting both foreign and local investments.
According to him, foreign reserves have improved, the exchange rate has stabilised, and inflation is beginning to slow. He also pointed to large-scale infrastructure projects such as the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway and the Sokoto–Badagry Superhighway, projects he said critics once dismissed as impossible.
Onanuga further revealed that planned tax reforms set to commence in January would harmonise Nigeria’s fragmented tax system, increase the tax-to-GDP ratio, boost government revenue, and enhance overall economic prosperity.
“For the past two years and seven months, President Tinubu has demonstrated effective leadership anchored on strategic policies and bold reforms,” he said.
Concluding his remarks, Onanuga predicted a diminished political future for Obi, suggesting that his move from Labour Party to ADC would not translate into greater influence.
“Obi is too blinded by animosity to see these achievements,” he said. “Having jumped from Labour to ADC, he will likely end up playing second fiddle and may once again emerge as Atiku’s running mate in 2027, just as we saw in 2019.”
SUNTV Global Channel will continue to monitor reactions and developments surrounding the growing political exchanges ahead of the 2027 elections.
