Tinubu Not Afraid of Peter Obi, He’s No Longer a Threat — Presidency

The Presidency has dismissed suggestions that President Bola Tinubu or his administration is worried about the political influence of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, insisting he no longer poses a significant threat.

The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, made the remarks while featuring on the latest edition of Mic On Podcast.

Dare said President Tinubu had no reason to fear Obi, stressing that the administration was confident in its performance and governance record.

“This government is not afraid of Peter Obi,” he said.

Responding to Obi’s recent call for President Tinubu to resign, Dare argued that the Nigerian Constitution provides a clear democratic process for leadership change through periodic elections rather than resignation demands.

“The same right he has to ask Tinubu to resign is the same right the government has to respond to him that the president will not resign. There is no basis or reason for the president to resign,” he stated.

He further explained that Nigeria operates a presidential system with elections conducted every four years for the presidency as well as the National Assembly, giving citizens the opportunity to determine who governs them.

“The right that the government has is to educate people that we run a presidential system. We have elections every four years, not just for the president but also for the Senate and House of Representatives,” Dare said.

The presidential aide maintained that while Obi may have posed a challenge during previous elections, the situation had changed because the current administration believes it has delivered measurable results.

“He is not a nightmare. Maybe before, Peter Obi was a threat, but right now Peter Obi is no threat because we stand on solid ground of performance,” he said.

According to Dare, the Tinubu administration has demonstrated its ability to confront and address the country’s challenges, giving it confidence ahead of the 2027 general elections.

“We are able to interrogate the problems of this country,” he added.

Dare also predicted that Obi would not be able to replicate his electoral success in Lagos State during the 2023 presidential election.

“Peter Obi will not defeat President Tinubu in Lagos again,” he declared.

His comments come amid growing political activities and alignments ahead of the 2027 general elections, with opposition parties intensifying consultations to strengthen their chances against the ruling All Progressives Congress.