By Isaac Mission
The Presidency has criticised the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, describing him as an overrated politician whose record in office does not support his ambition to become Nigeria’s president in 2027.
Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, made the remarks on Saturday in a post on X.
Onanuga argued that Obi’s popularity, particularly among his supporters on social media, should not be mistaken for evidence of strong leadership or governance capacity.
He also dismissed the expectation among some of Obi’s supporters that he would transform the country if elected, insisting that governing Nigeria requires more than popularity or political enthusiasm.
The presidential aide further criticised Obi’s tenure as governor of Anambra State, describing his performance in office as a major disappointment.
Onanuga said: “Peter Obi is simply overhyped and overrated. The guy is clueless. As Anambra governor, he was a spectacular failure.”
He questioned how Obi could be expected to deliver at the national level when, according to him, the former Anambra governor lacked the governance record required of someone seeking the presidency.
The Presidency’s spokesman also accused Obi of frequently changing his political positions and allowing opinions expressed by his supporters online to influence his worldview.
According to Onanuga, anyone seeking to lead Nigeria at the national level should be judged by demonstrable experience and a clear governance record rather than social media popularity.
The latest criticism adds to the growing political exchanges ahead of the 2027 presidential election, with supporters and opponents of major contenders increasingly trading claims over their records, leadership credentials and suitability for the presidency.