Presidency: Obi is overhyped, he lacks record needed to lead Nigeria

The Presidency has again criticised the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, describing him as an overrated politician who lacks the leadership credentials required to govern Nigeria.

The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said this in a post on his X account on Saturday, September 12, 2026.

Onanuga stressed that Obi’s record as governor of Anambra State did not justify the growing support for his 2027 presidential ambition.

The presidential spokesman said effective governance requires a proven track record rather than public enthusiasm or social media popularity.

“Peter Obi is simply overhyped and overrated. The guy is clueless. As Anambra governor, he was a spectacular failure,” Onanuga wrote.

2027: Jigawa PDP unveils 45-member campaign team

He questioned the belief among Obi’s supporters that the former governor could transform Nigeria if elected president, noting that governance could not be driven by “magic.”

Onanuga also accused Obi of frequently changing his positions on national issues, likening him to a chameleon and alleging that his political decisions were influenced by his supporters on social media.

Onanuga said: “Now gunning for a higher office, his supporters think he can perform a miracle. How? Governance is not by magic.

“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.”