Peter et Obi défient le recours de Tinubu à l'utilisation excessive de mandataires

Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), faces mounting criticism following a recent television interview that has drawn sharp rebukes from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Nigerian presidency. The interview, conducted on Channels Television's Sunday Politics program, has sparked controversy over Obi’s political trajectory, his stance on the 2023 presidential election, and his critiques of President Bola Tinubu’s administration. The Presidential Communications Group, led by Special Adviser Bayo Onanuga, has labeled the interview a “PR disaster,” accusing Obi of spreading falsehoods and failing to accept the results of the previous election. Onanuga took to social media to criticize Obi’s conduct during the interview, stating that he watched approximately 30 minutes of the broadcast before deciding to discontinue viewing. According to Onanuga, Obi’s statements failed to rejuvenate his fading campaign for the 2027 general elections and instead exposed what he described as a series of misleading claims. One of the central points of contention was Obi’s comparison of his political evolution to that of President Tinubu. During the interview, Obi suggested that his frequent shifts between political parties mirrored Tinubu’s own political journey. Onanuga refuted this analogy, asserting that Tinubu had consistently adhered to a progressive ideological framework throughout his career, even as he transitioned between multiple political parties. By contrast, Onanuga accused Obi of repeatedly changing allegiances to serve his personal political ambitions. He detailed Obi’s political history, noting that he initially ran for office on the platform of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) before defecting to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), where he served as Atiku Abubakar’s running mate in the 2019 presidential race. After the PDP’s defeat, Obi joined the Labour Party for the 2023 election before allegedly shifting again to the African Democratic Congress (ADC)-led coalition. Onanuga further criticized Obi for continuing to question the legitimacy of the 2023 presidential election, despite the Supreme Court having dismissed his legal challenge to the result. He noted that during the interview, Channels Television anchor Seun Okinbaloye gave Obi an opportunity to clarify his position, but Obi persisted in his claim that he had been denied victory. Onanuga emphasized that Obi had placed third in the election and urged him to move forward from the past and cease dreaming of a victory that had never occurred. The APC, meanwhile, has responded to Obi’s criticisms of the Tinubu administration’s economic policies. The party’s National Vice Chairman for the South-East, Dr. Ijeomah Arodiogbu, argued that Nigeria requires policy continuity rather than a complete overhaul of its economic direction. He praised the Tinubu administration for implementing key reforms, including the removal of fuel subsidies, exchange rate adjustments, and fiscal restructuring, which he claimed were beginning to yield positive results. Arodiogbu warned that Obi’s calls for a fresh start would be counterproductive at a time when the country is undergoing necessary but difficult economic transitions. In addition to critiquing Obi’s economic proposals, Arodiogbu highlighted what he viewed as a lack of practical solutions from the opposition. He argued that Nigeria needed leaders committed to policy consistency, infrastructure development, and revenue generation rather than political rhetoric. He urged Nigerians to assess political figures based on their governance records and ability to deliver tangible outcomes. Peter Obi, however, has continued to press for a change in leadership, suggesting that President Tinubu should step down before the 2027 general election. In the same interview, Obi argued that Tinubu’s current performance as president pales in comparison to his earlier tenure as governor of Lagos State. He claimed that the president lacks the energy and capability to address Nigeria’s worsening economic and security challenges and urged him to retire gracefully. Obi also expressed skepticism about the effectiveness of Tinubu’s administration, despite international praise, including from U.S. President Donald Trump, who commended Tinubu’s efforts in combating insecurity. Separately, Akin Osuntokun, a former political advisor to former President Olusegun Obasanjo, has defended Obi’s alliance with Rabiu Kwankwaso, suggesting that the partnership holds greater promise than the Labour Party’s 2023 ticket. Osuntokun claimed that Obasanjo played a role in brokering the alliance, emphasizing Kwankwaso’s political influence in Kano State as a strategic advantage. He also dismissed reports that Obasanjo might be aligning with Tinubu, insisting that the former president remains critical of the current administration and supports the Obi-Kwankwaso ticket. As the 2027 election approaches, the political landscape in Nigeria continues to evolve, with Obi’s campaign facing increasing scrutiny and resistance from established power structures. His repeated calls for a leadership change and his critiques of the current administration underscore the deepening divisions within the country’s political sphere. Meanwhile, the APC and the presidency remain steadfast in their defense of Tinubu’s policies, advocating for continuity and caution against abrupt shifts in governance.