By Tambaya Julius, Abuja 

The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to step aside ahead of the 2027 general election, describing the President as “tired” and lacking the capacity to address Nigeria’s worsening economic and security challenges.

Obi made the call during an exclusive interview on Sunday Politics with Seun Okinbaloye on Channels Television, where he assessed the state of the nation and criticised the Federal Government’s handling of key issues affecting Nigerians.

The former Anambra State governor acknowledged President Tinubu’s achievements during his tenure as Lagos State governor but argued that his current performance as President had failed to meet the expectations of Nigerians.

“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.

According to Obi, Nigeria is heading in the wrong direction and requires a leader with renewed energy, commitment and the capacity to tackle the country’s growing challenges.

“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,” he added.

He painted a difficult picture of Nigeria’s economic and social situation, highlighting rising poverty, hunger, insecurity and poor governance as major challenges requiring urgent attention.

He said reports from international organisations had shown the severity of Nigeria’s problems but accused political leaders of focusing more on personalities than on issues affecting ordinary citizens.

“World Bank has just said that 79 per cent 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.

The former presidential candidate also raised concerns over the growing number of out-of-school children, healthcare challenges and alleged mismanagement of public resources, saying such issues should dominate national discussions.

“They should be talking about the issue of out-of-school children, talking about the issue of health, and all these monies that are missing here and there that would have been invested properly. Nobody is discussing it,” Obi stated.

On food insecurity, Obi said millions of Nigerians were at risk of hunger and urged political leaders to focus on issues that directly affect citizens ahead of the 2027 election.

“This election in 2027 should be about issues that affect ordinary Nigerians. 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 said.

‘Tinubu’s Best Is Not Enough’

Reacting to comments by former United States President Donald Trump commending Tinubu’s efforts in tackling insecurity, Obi acknowledged the recognition but insisted that more decisive action was required.

“Thank you to Donald Trump. Thank you to President Trump. But we need to do more, far more than what we are doing,” he said.

Obi argued that despite claims that the Tinubu administration had done its best, the scale of Nigeria’s security challenges required a stronger response.

“I’ve heard people, and Donald Trump is now confirming it, say he has done his best. But with the crisis we are facing, his best is not enough. We need to do more,” he added.

He cited recent abductions in Zamfara State as evidence that insecurity remained a major national crisis.

“On Wednesday, 40 people were abducted in Zamfara, and the entire community, everybody is packing to run away. On Thursday, 50 were abducted. So we’re in a crisis situation that requires another capacity,” Obi said.

Poverty Fuels Insecurity, Says Obi

The former governor argued that insecurity could not be effectively addressed without tackling poverty, unemployment and inadequate access to education.

“You can’t create mass poverty and think you can deal with insecurity. The more you put people out of poverty, the more you reduce criminality. You need to invest in education, massive,” he said.

Obi said that if elected president, he would adopt a more approach to security and personally take responsibility for protecting Nigerians.

“Whatever it takes to secure any Nigerian, I will do that,” he said.

“If your people are dying, you should be ready to die. You’re the president. You’re the number one person.”

‘I’m Desperate to See Nigeria Work’

Speaking on his presidential ambition, Obi said his interest in contesting the 2027 election was driven by his desire to see Nigeria succeed rather than personal ambition.

“I’m not desperate to be Nigerian president. I’m desperate to see Nigeria work,” he said.

He added that he would support any leader capable of delivering good governance and improving the lives of Nigerians.

“If it’s working, I’ll support whatever makes it work.”

Obi expressed sadness over what he described as Nigeria’s continued decline, citing increasing poverty, insecurity and the growing number of children out of school.

“Every year we’re headed south, where more and more people have been impoverished, more and more children are out of school. Things are going in the wrong direction,” he said.

From Attah Ede, Makurdi

The crisis rocking the All Progressives Congress, (APC) in Benue State may not ends soon, as Governor Hyacinth Alia and Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Sen George Akume separately presented Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC Nomination forms to the candidates for the State House of Assembly who are their loyalists ahead of the 2027 general elections.

While Governor Alia successfully secured 24 members of the State House of Assembly through intense lobbying from the national secretariat of the ruling party, Sen Akume picked 13 forms for his loyalists.

The same scenario played out during the release of lists for the National Assembly members where the SGF prevailed by securing additional two Senate and 9 House of Representatives seats while the Governor got only two (2) house of representative seats.

A check from the official list released by the APC national secretariat, corroborated by State chapter of the party, indicated that in this instance, Alia secured more tickets in Benue South Senatorial District known as Zone C and his area Benue North East called Zone A while Sen Akume’s camp dominated Benue North West Senatorial District and got a few slots from the other two zones.

‎Presenting the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC nomination forms to 24 State House of Assembly candidates loyal to him on Tuesday, Governor Alia enjoined them to remain true ambassadors of the party.

He said, “Today, I officially present INEC nomination forms to our APC candidates for the Benue State House of Assembly.

‎“I congratulate all our candidates and urge them to remain true ambassadors of our great party by engaging our people with humility, integrity, and a clear vision for effective representation in the pursuit of a better Benue” Alia represented by the State APC Chairman Benjamin Omale said.

‎On his part, in a statement issued by the state Publicity Secretary of APC, Benedict Yawe indicated that 24 of 37 candidates received their INEC nomination forms from Governor Alia.

‎He called on the party members to work together for APC victory, saying, “This is the time to close ranks, strengthen our bonds, and intensify efforts toward securing overwhelming victories for all APC candidates in the forthcoming general elections.

‎“Their emergence is a clear reflection of the confidence reposed in their capacity to provide purposeful representation, uphold the ideals of the APC, and advance the collective aspirations of the people of Benue State and Nigeria at large,” Yawe stated.

‎Spokesperson of Akume’s APC camp, Dan-Morgan Ihomun, said the APC national secretariat in its wisdom decided to delegate INEC to issue nomination forms to successful candidates from the Assembly primaries in Benue State.

He disclosed that members who are loyal to SGF Sen George Akume received their INEC forms from the SGF, while those loyal to Governor Hyacinth Alia received their INEC nomination forms from the governor.

‎Recall that, the National Working Committee NWC of the All Progressives Congress, APC had recently upturned the results of some National Assembly primaries conducted in Benue State, replacing candidates believed to be loyal to Governor Hyacinth Alia with aspirants aligned with the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF),George Akume.

By Elijah Oguche, Abuja

Benue state Governor, Hyacinth Alia has said his administration remains undeterred, focused, and deeply committed to the service of the people in the state.

This was contained in a statement issued yesterday by Alia’s Chief Press Secretary, Tersoo Kula in Makurdi.

The governor said that in spite of recent political narratives aimed at causing disruption, he remains steadfast in his resolve to put the people of Benue first.

”This administration has recorded progress in reviving abandoned schools and industries, supporting farmers, improving healthcare services and investing in critical infrastructure.

”We acknowledge the security challenges confronting the state”, he said, describing them as part of broader national issues requiring coordinated efforts.

He said his administration was working closely with the Federal Government, security agencies, community leaders and neighbouring states to strengthen security and restore peace in affected communities.

Alia urged residents to remain calm, vigilant and support lawful security operations by providing credible information to relevant authorities.

The governor said he is as committed to accountability, transparency and service delivery, insisting that political distractions would not derail efforts to improve the lives of Benue people.

Alis also maintained that the administration would continue to prioritise security, job creation, improved healthcare, agricultural development and other initiatives aimed at enhancing the welfare of residents.

The governor expressed confidence that the people would assess his administration based on its performance and tangible results rather than political rhetoric.

Alake Endorses Adebutu Ahead Ogun 2027 Governorship Bid

The Alake and Paramount Ruler of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, have publicly endorsed the PDP governorship candidate, Hon. Oladipupo Adebutu, ahead of the 2027 Ogun governorship election.

The endorsement came when Adebutu and members of his campaign team paid a visit to the Egba Traditional Council to seek the blessings of the royal fathers for his governorship ambition.

Speaking during the meeting, Oba Gbadebo in the company of the Egba Traditional Council, described the Adebutu family as one with a longstanding legacy of generosity and commitment to the development of Egbaland.

He recalled the contributions of the PDP candidate’s father, Chief Kessington Adebukunola Adebutu, narrating how members of an Egba association had struggled to acquire a permanent secretariat in Lagos after identifying a building opposite the City Hall for purchase.

According to him, while members were making financial contributions towards acquiring the property, Chief Adebutu asked them to keep their money and personally paid for the building.

Oba Gbadebo thereafter offered prayers for the PDP candidate and publicly endorsed his governorship ambition before members of the Egba Traditional Council.

“Eventually, we found a building opposite the City Hall in Lagos and negotiated to purchase it. As members began contributing towards the cost, Baba Adebutu stood up and told us to keep the money we had contributed.

“He single-handedly paid for the building. He is the father of Oladipupo Adebutu. This step you have taken, by the grace of God, you will never regret.

“Whoever says there will be no way for you, you will eat their funeral akara.

“Once again, I warmly welcome you, and I pray that you will never regret embarking on this journey,”the monarch said.

In his response, Adebutu appreciated the royal fathers for their endorsement and prayers, assuring them that, if elected in 2027, his administration would strengthen grassroots governance by granting full financial autonomy to local governments.

Adebutu, who was accompanied by his running mate, Dr. Lateefat Sowunmi-Kolpapo, said financial independence for local government councils would accelerate development at the grassroots and improve service delivery across Ogun State.

The PDP flagbearer also insisted that governments must adopt innovative approaches to infrastructure development instead of relying solely on borrowing.

“You don’t borrow money for infrastructure anymore. I will construct roads that will improve connectivity between Ogun state and Lagos.

“For electricity, we will pursue a strong partnership between the government and the private sector.

“Once we generate adequate electricity, you will see the income of our people increase while the cost of energy comes down,” he said.

Adebutu accused successive administrations of denying local governments the financial independence needed to drive development.

“This is not about political parties. Whether APC or PDP, governors have continued to control local government allocations instead of allowing the councils to function independently.

“That must change because grassroots development begins with empowered local governments,” he said.

He argued that local councils delivered more meaningful development when they had direct access to their allocations and worked closely with traditional institutions.

He further pledged to build an inclusive administration that would prioritise the welfare of the people.