Governance vs Politics: Obi, Tinubu allies trade words

Peter Obi, the Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate in the 2023 election, has criticised President Bola Tinubu for spending too much time on foreign trips while Nigeria faces serious internal problems.

Obi accused the President of focusing more on international engagements and political manoeuvring ahead of the 2027 elections than on governance.

He also blamed politicians for Nigeria’s ongoing economic and security challenges.
In a statement posted on his X (formerly Twitter) account, Obi described January as a “distressing month” for the country.

He said insecurity worsened across Nigeria, with many reported killings, kidnappings and abductions, and ransom demands running into millions of naira.

He faulted Tinubu’s travel schedule, saying the President had already spent 23 days abroad in January alone.

According to Obi, Tinubu began the year outside the country, returned on January 17, and travelled again on January 26 to Türkiye, where he remained as of January 31.

Obi questioned the need for the frequent trips, asking why the President was often absent while the country faced worsening challenges.

He also accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of focusing on welcoming defectors and planning for elections rather than addressing governance issues.

Speaking at a special church service at the Cathedral of St. Peter, Aremo, Ibadan, held to mark Oyo State’s golden jubilee, Obi said politicians were Nigeria’s biggest problem.

He urged Nigerians to pray for their leaders, saying poor leadership not lack of resources was the main reason the country had failed to develop.

He stressed that Nigeria is richly blessed with human and natural resources but has suffered due to years of bad governance. According to him, good leadership directly affects the welfare of the people.

Obi praised Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, saying his administration showed that sincere and focused leadership could deliver visible development.

Meanwhile, the convener of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Ideological Group (BAT-IG), Bamidele Atoyebi, defended President Tinubu. In a statement titled

“Sage, Pa Awolowo Lives On”, Atoyebi described Tinubu as the political and ideological successor of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo.

He argued that Tinubu practices democratic socialism, an ideology championed by Awolowo, and said many of Tinubu’s policies reflect Awolowo’s views on education, taxation, social welfare and national development.

Atoyebi added that opposing Tinubu while praising Awolowo was contradictory, insisting that Awolowo’s ideas continue to influence Nigeria’s political system through Tinubu’s leadership.

Obi concluded by reiterating that Nigeria is not poor but poorly governed, urging leaders to use public resources for the benefit of the people.