The Presidency has accused former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi of being unhappy whenever Nigeria records what it described as progress, sparking fresh political exchanges over key government policies ahead of the 2027 general election.
The criticism came from President Bola Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, who questioned Obi’s recent comments on fuel subsidy removal and state policing.
In a post on his verified X account, Bwala claimed Obi had changed his position on major national issues after the Tinubu administration implemented policies that the former Anambra State governor had previously supported.
According to Bwala, Obi has repeatedly taken positions that contradict his earlier campaign promises.
“I don’t know why every time Nigeria makes progress, it angers Peter Obi. Why?” Bwala wrote.
He added that it was surprising that Obi appeared unhappy with developments in the same country he once sought to govern.
“It is the same Nigeria he is trying to govern in his wild goose chase,” Bwala said, adding that Obi seemed to pay attention only to critics of the government.
The presidential aide also referred to comments recently attributed to Obi in which the former presidential candidate reportedly said he would no longer remove fuel subsidy if elected president. He also claimed Obi had backed away from his earlier support for state police and foreign exchange reforms.
“Before the 2023 elections, he promised to take away the subsidy; we did, and now he is saying he won’t,” Bwala wrote.
“He said he would make state police; we did, but now he’s saying he won’t.
“He said he would bring all the foreign exchange together; we did, and now he is saying he won’t. It looks like he doesn’t have a clear idea of what he intends to do for Nigeria.”
The latest comments add to the growing political exchanges between the Presidency and opposition figures as discussions over economic reforms and governance continue across the country.
Since assuming office in May 2023, President Bola Tinubu has introduced several major economic reforms, including the removal of fuel subsidy on his inauguration day. The decision ended decades of government spending on subsidising petrol prices but also led to a sharp increase in the cost of fuel.
The subsidy removal triggered higher transport fares, rising food prices and increased inflation, placing additional pressure on households and businesses. While the government argues that the policy was necessary to prevent the economy from collapsing under the weight of subsidy payments, many Nigerians continue to express concern over the rising cost of living.
To cushion the effects, the Federal Government has introduced a number of intervention programs, including cash transfers, student loans, support for public transportation and wage awards for some categories of workers. However, labour unions and civil society groups have maintained that many Nigerians are yet to feel the benefits of the reforms.
Another major policy introduced by the Tinubu administration was the unification of Nigeria’s foreign exchange market. The government merged multiple exchange windows in an effort to improve transparency, attract foreign investment and reduce distortions in the market.
The move initially led to a sharp depreciation of the naira against major foreign currencies, although government officials have argued that the reforms are beginning to stabilise the economy and restore investor confidence.
The issue of state police has also remained one of Nigeria’s most debated constitutional matters. For years, governors, security experts and several stakeholders have called for the establishment of state-controlled police forces to improve security across the country.
Supporters argue that governors are recognised as chief security officers of their states but have limited authority over the Nigeria Police Force, which remains under federal control. They believe creating state police would allow quicker responses to local security challenges such as banditry, kidnapping and communal violence.
However, critics have warned that state police could be abused by state governments to intimidate political opponents or interfere in elections if adequate constitutional safeguards are not put in place.
Although the Tinubu administration has expressed support for the idea, the establishment of state police will require constitutional amendments by the National Assembly and approval by at least two-thirds of Nigeria’s state Houses of Assembly before it can become law.
The Presidency’s latest criticism of Obi appears to centre on what it described as inconsistencies in the former presidential candidate’s public statements on these issues.
Obi, who emerged as one of the leading opposition figures after the 2023 presidential election, has consistently criticised the Tinubu administration over the state of the economy, inflation, unemployment and insecurity. He has argued that while reforms may be necessary, they should be implemented in a manner that protects vulnerable Nigerians and stimulates production.
His supporters have also maintained that his comments on economic reforms have often been misunderstood or taken out of context, insisting that he supports difficult but carefully planned policy decisions.
With the economy remaining a major concern for many Nigerians, both the ruling All Progressives Congress and opposition parties are expected to continue presenting different approaches to addressing inflation, unemployment, insecurity and economic growth.