Presidency Dismisses Obi as Political Threat
The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Media and Public Communications, Sunday Dare, has dismissed suggestions that Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), poses a political threat to the Tinubu administration. Dare insisted that the government remains focused on delivering its mandate and is not afraid of Obi.
Speaking during an interview on the Mic On Podcast over the weekend, Dare argued that the government’s performance and policy initiatives have strengthened its position ahead of the 2027 general elections. “This government is not afraid of Peter Obi. He is not a nightmare to our government. Maybe before, Peter Obi was a threat, but right now, he is no threat because we stand on the solid ground of performance,” Dare stated.
Government’s Scorecard and Policy Focus
According to Dare, the administration has carefully examined the country’s challenges and is implementing policies and programmes aimed at addressing them. “We have been able to interrogate the problems of this country. Decisions are being taken, policies are being unfolded across the country, and we have a scorecard to show,” he added.
Dare also criticised Obi’s public interventions, describing some of his comments and interviews as lacking clarity. “Peter Obi is not a nightmare. Maybe you replace nightmare with nuisance because if you see some of his reactions, they are very pedantic. Sometimes you wonder. You listen to some of his interviews, ask him a question, and he goes in a roundabout direction that does not make sense,” he said.
2027 Election Prospects in Lagos
Commenting on the 2027 presidential election, Dare maintained that Obi would not be able to repeat his performance in Lagos, where the Labour Party candidate defeated Tinubu during the 2023 presidential election. “Peter Obi defeated President Tinubu in Lagos in 2023. This is 2027; he can’t defeat Tinubu again in Lagos,” Dare asserted.
