‘Come Out of Aso Rock Bunker and Speak to Nigerians’ — Peter Obi Challenges Tinubu

• Peter Obi has called on President Bola Tinubu to stop speaking through aides and address Nigerians directly, saying the President has “gone into Aso Rock and turned it into a bunker” while the country battles economic and security challenges.

The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to address Nigerians directly instead of relying on aides and spokespersons, saying citizens deserve to hear from the leader they elected.

Speaking during an interview on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, Obi criticised the President’s communication style, alleging that Tinubu had become detached from Nigerians since assuming office.

“It’s not even ‘audio hope’ because the man we voted for isn’t even talking to us anymore,” Obi said.

The former Anambra State governor claimed Tinubu had withdrawn from public engagement, urging him to communicate personally on the country’s challenges.

“The person we voted for in this country is Bola Tinubu. He’s no longer talking to us; he’s gone into Aso Rock and turned it into a bunker. We want him to come out of that bunker and speak to the people,” he stated.

Obi argued that major national issues require direct presidential communication, pointing to the controversy surrounding the Presidential Economic Advisory Council/Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PEAC/PFIPC) as an example.

Beyond his criticism of the administration, Obi reiterated that Nigeria’s economic recovery depends on boosting production rather than consumption, insisting that agriculture should be at the centre of national development.

“The only way to pull Nigeria out of poverty, or even genuinely grow GDP, is through production, not consumption. That production starts with agriculture,” he said.

According to him, Nigeria has enough arable land to feed its population and generate more revenue from agriculture than oil if insecurity is tackled and farmers receive adequate government support.

Obi also stressed that improving security, reviving manufacturing and providing affordable financing for businesses would create jobs, reduce poverty and strengthen the nation’s economy.