Media personality Rufai Oseni has criticized the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, for labeling former presidential candidate Peter Obi’s call for President Bola Tinubu's resignation as 'childish'. The political friction began on Monday when Obi urged President Tinubu to resign, citing a 'monumental failure in governance,' worsening economic hardship, and rising insecurity. Obi pointed to the recent resignation of UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer as a standard for political accountability and reminded Tinubu that he had similarly demanded the resignation of then-President Goodluck Jonathan in 2015 under comparable economic and security crises.
Onanuga's Dismissal and Oseni's Retort
Responding to Obi's demand, Onanuga dismissed the call as hollow and 'childish,' arguing that Obi wrongly compared Nigeria's presidential system to the UK's parliamentary structure. Reacting to the presidency's rebuttal on Arise News, Oseni questioned the administration's stance. He asked whether it would also be fair to describe the All Progressives Congress (APC) as 'childish' when Tinubu and other party leaders demanded Jonathan's resignation while they were in the opposition.
Background of the Dispute
Obi's call for resignation came amid widespread criticism of Tinubu's economic policies, including the removal of fuel subsidies and currency flotation, which have led to soaring inflation and a cost-of-living crisis. The former Anambra State governor argued that Tinubu should follow the example of UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who resigned after a scandal. Obi noted that Tinubu himself had demanded Jonathan's resignation in 2015 when Nigeria faced similar challenges of insecurity and economic decline.
Oseni's Challenge to the Presidency
Oseni, known for his outspoken commentary, challenged the presidency's dismissal of Obi's demand. He argued that if demanding a president's resignation is childish, then the APC's past actions should be judged by the same standard. 'Was the APC also childish when it called for Jonathan's resignation?' Oseni asked, highlighting the inconsistency in the administration's response.
Political Reactions and Public Discourse
The exchange has sparked debate on social media and political circles, with supporters of both Obi and Tinubu weighing in. Some analysts see Obi's demand as a political move to rally opposition support ahead of the 2027 elections, while others view it as a legitimate critique of governance failures. The presidency has not issued further comments beyond Onanuga's initial statement.
