Former presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to resign from office, citing what he described as widespread failures in governance and drawing parallels with the resignation announcement of British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
In a statement shared on his official X account on Monday, Obi said Starmer’s decision to step down highlighted the importance of accountability in leadership and offered lessons for democratic societies around the world.
According to Obi, his interest in global politics stems from a desire to understand why some nations succeed while others struggle with governance and development.
“As a keen observer of global politics, my primary interest lies in examining what successful nations do right and the structural factors that cause others to lag or struggle with governance and development,” he stated.
Obi noted that Starmer’s planned resignation followed growing public dissatisfaction in the United Kingdom over economic difficulties, rising living costs and unfulfilled campaign promises.
The former Anambra State governor drew comparisons with Nigeria, recalling that before the 2015 general election, Tinubu had repeatedly demanded the resignation of then-President Goodluck Jonathan over insecurity and economic challenges facing the country.
Obi specifically referenced Tinubu’s reaction to the abduction of the Chibok schoolgirls, saying the current president had argued at the time that Jonathan’s administration had failed in its primary responsibility of protecting citizens.
“During the Chibok school kidnapping incident, he demanded the immediate resignation of President Jonathan, arguing that the government had failed in its most fundamental duty of protecting lives,” Obi said.
The opposition figure also highlighted several promises made by Tinubu during the 2023 presidential campaign, including commitments to improve electricity supply, combat corruption and enhance the welfare of Nigerians.
According to Obi, Tinubu had challenged Nigerians not to support him for a second term if he failed to deliver on those promises.
However, Obi argued that the situation in the country has deteriorated since then, pointing to persistent power shortages, worsening insecurity, increasing cases of kidnapping and growing economic hardship.
“At present, however, these conditions have worsened. Electricity supply remains unreliable, insecurity has intensified in many areas, including kidnappings, and economic hardship has deepened rather than eased,” he stated.
Obi further claimed that key sectors such as infrastructure, transportation and anti-corruption efforts have also suffered setbacks under the current administration.
“We are in the worst possible condition,” he said.
Based on these concerns, Obi joined what he described as Nigerians of goodwill in calling for the president’s resignation, arguing that such a move would strengthen accountability in public office and reinforce the principle that leadership comes with responsibility.
“I, therefore, join Nigerians of goodwill in calling for the resignation of the President over monumental failure in governance,” Obi declared.
He added that a resignation would help build “a political culture rooted in accountability and responsibility” and send a clear message that public office is “a sacred trust, not an entitlement.”
Obi concluded by saying that ending the culture of impunity in governance is essential to securing a better future for Nigerians and achieving what he described as “a New Nigeria that is possible.”