Obi Calls on Tinubu to Resign, Citing Starmer's Accountability as a Model

Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress, has called on President Bola Tinubu to resign, drawing a direct parallel with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer's announcement on Monday that he would step down as Labour leader.

In a statement published on his X account titled "Owning Up to Leadership Failures and Political Responsibility," Obi argued that Tinubu had failed to deliver on the majority of his 2023 campaign promises, particularly around the cost of living, security and electricity supply.

"The Prime Minister's planned resignation comes amid mounting public frustration over a stagnant economy, a worsening cost-of-living crisis, and a perceived failure to honor key campaign pledges," Obi wrote, before turning his attention to Nigeria's own situation. 

Obi invoked Tinubu's own political history, recalling that the president had previously demanded accountability from a sitting head of state.

"Before 2015, our President on several occasions championed the call for then-President Goodluck Jonathan to resign over economic hardship and insecurity affecting Nigerians.

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. 

He also pointed to specific campaign pledges Tinubu made ahead of the 2023 election, on power supply, anti-corruption and welfare, arguing that conditions across those sectors had worsened rather than improved since the administration took office.

"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 added that a voluntary resignation would send a powerful message that public office is a trust, not an entitlement, and would help establish a norm in which future leaders understand that failure carries consequences.

The Presidency swiftly rejected the call, with presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga describing it as childish, hollow and anti-democratic.

Onanuga argued that Nigeria runs a presidential, not parliamentary, system and pointed to APC's sweeping victories in Saturday's by-elections as evidence of Tinubu's continued public support.