The Presidency has described the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, as “clueless,” “overhyped” and “overrated” ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, made the remarks on Saturday in a post on X while questioning Obi’s suitability for the presidency.
Onanuga argued that Obi lacked the governance record required of anyone seeking to lead the country, recalling his tenure as governor of Anambra State.
“Peter Obi is simply overhyped and overrated. The guy is clueless. As Anambra governor, he was a spectacular failure,” Onanuga wrote.
The presidential aide also dismissed the expectation among Obi’s supporters that he could transform Nigeria if elected president, saying governance required more than popularity or public enthusiasm.
“Now gunning for a higher office, his supporters think he can perform a miracle. How? Governance is not by magic,” he said.
According to Onanuga, a presidential aspirant must be able to demonstrate a credible record of governance and consistent policy positions.
“A wannabe national leader must have a governance pedigree, which Peter lacks. He changes his positions like a chameleon. And his worldview is dictated by his mob on social media,” he added.
The attack came amid intensified political activities and criticisms among opposition camps ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
In a separate development, the presidential campaign of Social Democratic Party, SDP, candidate Adewole Adebayo, also dismissed the prospects of President Tinubu, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Obi, insisting that none of the three offered Nigerians the solution required to address the country’s challenges.
The campaign’s Chief Communications Adviser, Mark Adebayo, stated this on Saturday in Abuja at a press conference on the state of the nation, security, governance and the 2027 elections.
He instead presented Adewole Adebayo as the candidate best prepared to lead Nigeria, citing his intellect, integrity, professional record and policy proposals.
Mark said Nigerians should move beyond political rhetoric and assess the presidential candidates according to their policies and demonstrated capacity to deliver.
He pointed to Adebayo’s “Farewell to Poverty and Insecurity” blueprint, which he said provides a four-year plan for tackling Nigeria’s economic and security problems.
The campaign also criticised Obi over his recent political positioning, particularly reports that he would have accepted the position of Atiku’s running mate.
It further cited comments attributed to Obi and his former running mate in the 2023 presidential election as evidence, according to the campaign, of uncertainty within Obi’s political camp.
Comparing Adebayo with Obi, Mark argued that the SDP candidate had a more comprehensive approach to economic management, labour, production and structural reforms.
“Leadership requires moving beyond populist rhetoric but looking at empirical possibilities,” he said.
The campaign also took aim at Tinubu, alleging that the President had avoided sufficient public scrutiny and would be reluctant to participate in presidential debates ahead of the 2027 election.
Mark said his principal was prepared to debate any presidential candidate “at a moment’s notice” on issues ranging from the economy and security to technology, agriculture, education, constitutionalism, energy and foreign policy.
The campaign accused the Tinubu administration of worsening poverty, hunger and insecurity, while also alleging that structures were being put in place to compromise the 2027 electoral process.
“President Tinubu knows and all Nigerians know that in a free, fair and credible election, he will lose in a landslide in 2027,” Mark alleged.
The campaign urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and protect the integrity of their votes during the election.
It also outlined proposals for an Adebayo administration, including the recovery of allegedly stolen public funds, greater independence for anti-corruption agencies, and the establishment of a national anti-kidnapping and banditry command.
Other promises include increased investment in solar energy, power-sector reforms, construction of at least three million affordable housing units within four years and measures to increase agricultural production.
The campaign said its wider proposals covering security, education, healthcare, infrastructure, foreign relations, energy, agriculture, human rights, social welfare and sports were contained in the “Farewell to Poverty and Insecurity” blueprint.
It urged voters to reject ethnic considerations, financial inducements and political rallies without substantive policy content, and instead judge candidates on competence, preparedness and the credibility of their plans for Nigeria.