‘Tinubu Is Tired, Should Retire’ — Peter Obi Tells President to Step Aside

• The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has urged President Bola Tinubu to step aside ahead of the 2027 election.

The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to step aside ahead of the 2027 general election, declaring that the President is “tired” and no longer has the capacity to tackle Nigeria’s growing economic and security challenges.

Obi made the remarks during an interview on Sunday Politics on Channels Television, where he argued that although Tinubu performed well as Governor of Lagos State, his presidency has failed to address the country’s worsening problems.

“The Bola Tinubu that was governor is not the one that is president today. He’s tired. He should be allowed to retire in peace, and then go home,” Obi said.

The former Anambra State governor insisted that Nigeria is moving in the wrong direction and requires a leader with the energy and vision to reverse the country’s fortunes.

“As it is right now, Bola Tinubu is leading us nowhere. We will turn it so he can see it. That’s why maybe I’m calling for his retirement. The man should just step aside. Yes, he doesn’t have the capacity to do the job,” he stated.

Obi painted a grim picture of Nigeria’s current situation, citing rising poverty, hunger, insecurity and poor governance as evidence that urgent leadership change is needed.

Referring to recent reports by international organisations, he said millions of Nigerians are facing severe hardship.

“World Bank has just said that 79% of Nigerians are going to face poverty. In a country of 230 million people, that’s over 180 million. That should be the issue we should be discussing,” he said.

He also lamented the country’s education and healthcare challenges, accusing political leaders of focusing on personalities instead of the real issues affecting ordinary Nigerians.

Speaking on food insecurity, Obi said the country is facing an alarming humanitarian crisis.

“The World Food Programme has just said 35 million Nigerians are going to face hunger. Nigerians are being kidnapped. Let’s talk about Nigeria,” he added.

Reacting to comments by former U.S. President Donald Trump, who recently commended Tinubu’s efforts against insecurity, Obi acknowledged the praise but argued that the administration’s performance remains inadequate.

“Thank you to Donald Trump… But we need to do more, far more than what we are doing. I’ve heard people… say he has done his best. But with the crisis we are facing, his best is not enough,” Obi said.

He cited recent mass abductions in Zamfara State as proof that insecurity remains a major challenge.

“We’re in a crisis situation that requires another capacity,” he said.

According to Obi, lasting security cannot be achieved without addressing poverty and investing heavily in education.

“You can’t create mass poverty and think you can deal with insecurity. The more you put people out of poverty, the more you reduce criminality. You need to invest in education, massive,” he stated.

Obi promised that if elected president, he would personally take responsibility for protecting Nigerians.

“Whatever it takes to secure any Nigerian, I will do that. If your people are dying, you should be ready to die. You’re the president. You’re the number one person,” he said.

On his presidential ambition, Obi maintained that his motivation is not personal ambition but a desire to see Nigeria succeed.

“I’m not desperate to be Nigerian president. I’m desperate to see Nigeria work,” he declared.

He added that his vision remains to build “a Nigeria that is united and peaceful”, where every citizen has equal opportunities regardless of tribe or religion.