Tinubu should retire, lacks capacity to lead Nigeria — Peter Obi

President Bola Tinubu has been urged to step aside from office by the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, who argued that the President no longer possesses the capacity required to tackle Nigeria’s mounting challenges.

Obi made the remarks during an interview on Channels Television on Sunday, where he criticised Tinubu’s handling of the country’s affairs, saying Nigeria was heading in the wrong direction under the current administration.

According to the former Anambra State governor, the President should retire and allow younger, more energetic and committed leaders to take over the task of governing the country.

“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.

He added, “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.”

Obi also accused the Tinubu administration of failing to address pressing national issues, including poverty, insecurity and hunger, arguing that political leaders were focused on the wrong priorities.

Citing recent reports by international organisations, he said an estimated 79 per cent of Nigerians could be pushed into poverty, while millions face food insecurity, insisting these should dominate national discourse ahead of the 2027 general election.

“The 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.

Obi further lamented the growing number of out-of-school children, worsening healthcare challenges and persistent kidnappings across the country, urging politicians to focus on policies that directly improve the lives of ordinary Nigerians rather than political manoeuvring.

“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.