By 247ureports.com
Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has said President Bola Tinubu should leave office because the country “cannot be governed by his energy,” and that Nigeria needs a president who is available at all times and who tours the whole country.
“We need him to go home because Nigeria cannot be governed by his energy. Nigeria needs a president who will be available and be there at any location in the country that has a problem,” Obi said, according to reports of the remarks. He added: “We can no longer accept people who are elected and not available. The president of Nigeria must be available at all times and must tour all over Nigeria.” Turning to his rivals, he said: “If you have competence and energy to serve, come and campaign.” The reports do not say where or when he spoke.
The remarks fit a line Obi has pursued for months, arguing that the president should be seen at the scene of disasters and attacks. He has criticised Tinubu for not visiting Benue and Niger after deadly attacks and flooding, and cited India’s Narendra Modi and South Africa’s Cyril Ramaphosa as leaders who visit disaster sites within hours. He has also been visiting camps for displaced people, which FCT Minister Nyesom Wike has mocked as a show, and has described competence, capacity, character and compassion as the test of leadership.
The comment lands as the question of Tinubu’s health and public visibility runs through the campaign. The president returned from a four-week stay in Europe on September 29 and said at the airport that there is nothing wrong with him, the Presidency has repeatedly described him as “hale and hearty,” and critics including Omoyele Sowore have pressed claims of illness that remain unsupported by public evidence. Obi’s line does not make a medical claim, but it frames availability and stamina as the central issue. Tinubu’s supporters answer that he has launched his campaign, crossed the country for events and works long hours, and note that the president is now flagging off his campaign in the North. The Presidency and the All Progressives Congress (APC) had not responded to Obi’s latest remarks at the time of this report.
