Wait for elections, dont speak for Nigerians’ – Ologun blasts Obi for asking Tinubu to resign

The General Executive Director of the Centre for Responsive Governance, Ayodeji Ologun, has cautioned the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, over his call for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s resignation.

Ologun noted that such a position does not represent the view of Nigerians, insisting that while citizens are entitled to demand accountability from leaders, decisions on leadership change should ultimately be left to the ballot box during elections.

Recall that Peter Obi had asked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to take a cue from former British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and step down from office, arguing that the current administration has failed to meet Nigeria’s expectations amid worsening economic and social conditions.

Speaking on Tuesday during an interview on Eagle 102.5 FM, Ilese-Ijebu, monitored by our correspondent in Abeokuta, Ologun noted that it is not out of place for any Nigerian, including political actors, to question the performance of an elected president or even suggest resignation in cases of extreme dissatisfaction.

He said, “There is nothing wrong in calling for the resignation of a president. And I can say that, coming from the personality of Peter Obi, without sounding immodest, it is simply political.”

Ologun further questioned the global rarity of voluntary presidential resignations, insisting that most democratically elected leaders rarely step down regardless of pressure or criticism.

He added that governance assessment should not be reduced to emotional interpretations or singular opinions presented as national consensus.

“In the history of the world, how many democratically elected presidents have we seen resign, irrespective of what has become the outcome of their presidency? Because people are quick to say, ‘Oh, it’s an African thing. Nobody in Africa resigns.’

“But I’m asking now, justifiably, by facts and figures, how many presidents in the history of the world have ever resigned their position after being democratically elected, irrespective of the outcome of their presidency, even irrespective of their health condition, including American presidents? No,” he said, buttressing his claim.

He further argued that the credibility of a public statement is often influenced by the political identity and track record of the person making it, insisting that audiences should critically interrogate figures and claims before treating them as objective truth.

“I’m sorry, one of the reasons I don’t love Peter Obi and I will never support him is the fact that he misrepresents facts a lot. If Peter Obi gives you a figure in an interview, go and fact-check it; you are going to find it to be a lie most probably. Eighty per cent of the time, the figures he gives out are always false,” he asserted.

He added that most elected leaders typically serve out their full tenure unless compelled by extreme circumstances such as serious health challenges or the threat of impeachment.