By Peace Udugba
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 to resign, saying such a position does not reflect the views of all Nigerians.
Speaking during an interview on Frontline, a current affairs programme on Eagle 102.5 FM, Ilese-Ijebu, Ogun State, on Tuesday, Ologun said Nigerians are entitled to demand accountability from their leaders, but decisions on leadership change should be made through the ballot box.
Obi, a former governor of Anambra State, had urged President Tinubu to emulate former British Prime Minister Keir Starmer by stepping down, arguing that the current administration had failed to meet the expectations of Nigerians amid worsening economic and social conditions.
Reacting, Ologun said there was nothing wrong with calling for the resignation of a president, but described Obi’s position as politically motivated.
“There is nothing wrong in calling for the resignation of a president. But coming from the personality of Peter Obi, without sounding immodest, it is simply political,” he said.
He argued that voluntary resignations by democratically elected presidents are rare across the world, noting that most leaders remain in office despite criticism or pressure.
“In the history of the world, how many democratically elected presidents have resigned, irrespective of the outcome of their administrations or even their health conditions? Even American presidents hardly resign,” he said.
Ologun maintained that while Obi, as a Nigerian, has the right to express his views, he should not claim to speak on behalf of the entire country.
“If Nigerians or the majority of us feel that President Tinubu has not done enough, we should wait until election day. Let ballots be cast and let the people decide whether Tinubu should continue or give way to a new leadership bloc,” he stated.
He also questioned the credibility of some of Obi’s public figures and statistics, alleging that many of them are inaccurate.
“One of the reasons I do not support Peter Obi is because he misrepresents facts. If Peter Obi gives you a figure in an interview, go and fact-check it. Most times, the figures are false,” Ologun alleged.
According to him, differing views on the economy should be respected, as some economists and international institutions believe Nigeria is making progress.
“The fact that Peter Obi believes the economy has failed does not mean others who are more knowledgeable share that view. Some economists will present figures and data, including those from institutions such as the World Bank, to argue that Nigeria’s economy is progressing,” he said.
However, Ologun stressed that the primary responsibility of any government is the protection of lives and property, adding that failure in this regard would indicate that an administration may not deserve a second term.
“When a president assumes office, the first duty is to protect lives and property. If by midterm the government is failing in this constitutional responsibility, that is a pointer that such a government may not deserve re-election,” he said.
He further argued that comparisons between Nigeria and the United Kingdom are misplaced because both countries operate different political systems.
“Prime ministers resign in parliamentary systems, just as ministers resign in Nigeria. But presidents are elected differently, and resignation is not common among democratically elected leaders,” he said.
Ologun concluded that criticism of government is a legitimate aspect of democracy but noted that presidents rarely resign except under extraordinary circumstances.
“Unless a president faces impeachment or severe health challenges, you will hardly find a democratically elected president resigning anywhere in the world,” he added.
