The presidential candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress for the 2027 election, Mr Peter Obi, has called on President Bola Tinubu to consider resigning from office over what he described as the administration’s failure to fulfil major campaign promises and improve the living conditions of Nigerians.
Obi made the call in a post on his X handle, titled “Owning Up To Leadership Failures And Political Responsibility,” while reacting to the reported resignation of the British Prime Minister, Keir Starmer.
According to Obi, the British Prime Minister’s decision to step down followed mounting public frustration over a stagnant economy, worsening cost-of-living crisis and perceived failure to honour key campaign pledges.
He said the development should serve as a lesson in political responsibility and accountability for leaders in countries facing deep governance challenges.
“This morning, I listened to the British Prime Minister’s speech announcing his planned resignation in July. 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,” Obi wrote.
Drawing a comparison with Nigeria, Obi recalled that before 2015, President Tinubu had repeatedly called for the resignation of then President Goodluck Jonathan over insecurity and economic hardship.
He specifically referenced the Chibok schoolgirls’ abduction, saying Tinubu had at the time demanded Jonathan’s resignation on the ground that the government had failed in its primary duty of protecting lives.
Obi also recalled that during the 2023 election campaign, Tinubu made several promises to Nigerians, including improved electricity supply, the fight against corruption and better welfare for citizens.
He said Tinubu had also challenged Nigerians not to vote for him for a second term if he failed to deliver on those commitments.
The former Anambra State governor, however, argued that the situation in the country had worsened under the present administration.
“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,” Obi said.
He added that other critical sectors, including security, infrastructure, transportation and anti-corruption, had also declined.
“We are in the worst possible condition,” he stated.
Obi said he was joining what he called Nigerians of goodwill in calling for the President’s resignation over what he described as “monumental failure in governance.”
According to him, such a step would help build a political culture based on accountability and responsibility rather than impunity.
“I, therefore, join Nigerians of goodwill in calling for the resignation of the President over monumental failure in governance. Such a gesture would help enthrone a political culture rooted in accountability and responsibility, rather than further entrenching impunity,” he said.
Obi argued that public office should be treated as a sacred trust and not an entitlement, adding that leaders must understand that failure in office should carry consequences.
He said ending what he described as a culture of impunity was necessary to secure a better future for Nigeria.
“It would also send a powerful message that public office is a sacred trust, not an entitlement, and help build a society in which future leaders understand that failure carries consequences,” he added.
Obi concluded that only a leadership culture based on accountability could help build what he described as “a New Nigeria that is possible.”
