Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Presidency has launched a blistering attack on the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, accusing him of displaying a pattern of resentment whenever the country records progress under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's administration. In a strongly worded post shared on his official X handle on Thursday, June 25, 2026, the Special Adviser to the President on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, questioned the former Anambra State governor's consistency on key national issues, alleging that Obi has abandoned policies he once championed simply because they are now being implemented by the current government.
Bwala's remarks represent the latest escalation in the war of words between the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the opposition NDC, which has positioned itself as a formidable challenger ahead of the 2027 general elections. The presidential aide's criticism zeroed in on what he described as Obi's apparent displeasure with Nigeria's progress. "I don't know why every time Nigeria makes progress, it angers Peter Obi @PeterObi. Why?" Bwala wrote. "It is the same Nigeria he is trying to govern in his wild goose chase".
The core of Bwala's accusation revolves around three major policy areas where, according to him, Obi has shifted his position: the removal of fuel subsidy, the creation of state police, and the unification of the foreign exchange market. "Before the 2023 elections, he promised to take away the subsidy; we did, and now he is saying he won't," Bwala stated. "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".
Bwala's comments came just a day after the Senate passed the landmark State Police Bill, a constitutional amendment that empowers states to establish their own police services, a policy Obi had previously advocated for during his 2023 presidential campaign. The bill, which was transmitted to the National Assembly by President Tinubu, was fast-tracked through first, second and third readings in a single day and now moves to the House of Representatives for concurrence. Obi has reportedly expressed reservations about the bill, raising concerns about the potential for abuse by state governors.
Similarly, the removal of the fuel subsidy, which took effect immediately after President Tinubu's inauguration in May 2023, was a policy that Obi had campaigned on, arguing that the subsidy was unsustainable and had become a drain on the nation's resources. However, Obi has since criticised the manner in which the removal was implemented, arguing that the government failed to provide adequate palliatives to cushion the impact on ordinary Nigerians. The unification of the foreign exchange market, another reform championed by the Tinubu administration, has also drawn criticism from Obi, who has argued that the policy has led to a sharp depreciation of the naira and increased the cost of living.
Bwala's post also contained a controversial personal remark, suggesting that Obi's views might be unduly influenced by a single individual. "It may be right to say that the only person he listens to is the mad man in Opi-iweka road," Bwala wrote, a reference that many interpreted as a dismissive jab at the former governor's intellectual independence. The remark drew immediate backlash from Obi's supporters, who accused the presidential aide of crossing the line from policy debate into personal insult.
The exchange between Bwala and Obi is not new. The two have engaged in a series of public spats since the 2023 elections, with Bwala often acting as a vocal defender of the Tinubu administration's policies. In March 2026, Obi dismissed allegations that he had attempted to recruit Bwala into his 2023 campaign team, describing the claim as false and insisting that he had no dealings with the presidential aide. Obi's media aide, Ibrahim Umar, had described the allegation as "transactional politics" and maintained that the former governor would not engage in such conduct.
Obi's camp has yet to issue an official response to Bwala's latest accusations. However, the NDC presidential candidate has consistently defended his criticism of the Tinubu administration, arguing that his role as an opposition leader is to hold the government accountable and ensure that policies are implemented in a manner that benefits ordinary Nigerians. In previous statements, Obi has maintained that his support for policy reforms has never been absolute and that he reserves the right to critique their implementation when they fail to achieve their intended objectives.
The NDC, which Obi joined after leaving the Labour Party, has positioned itself as a viable alternative to the ruling APC, with a focus on economic revitalisation, job creation, and good governance. The party's presidential ticket, which features Obi as its flagbearer and former Kano State Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso as his running mate, has been described as a formidable coalition capable of challenging the APC's dominance in the 2027 elections.
However, the war of words between Bwala and Obi underscores the deep political divisions that continue to shape Nigeria's political landscape. For the Presidency, the accusation that Obi is resentful of Nigeria's progress is a strategic attempt to paint the opposition leader as a negative force, one who prioritises political expediency over national interest. For Obi and his supporters, the attack is a sign that the government is feeling the heat of his sustained criticism and is resorting to personal attacks rather than engaging with the substance of his arguments.
As the 2027 elections draw closer, the battle for the hearts and minds of Nigerian voters is likely to intensify, with both sides seeking to define the narrative of the country's progress and the competence of its leaders. For now, Bwala's accusation has added another layer of tension to an already charged political atmosphere, and the question on many lips is whether Obi will respond, and if so, how. One thing is certain: the war of words between the Presidency and the NDC is far from over.
📩 Stone Reporters News | 🌍 stonereportersnews.com
✉️ info@stonereportersnews.com | 📘 Facebook: Stone Reporters News | 🐦 X (Twitter): @StoneReportNew | 📸 Instagram: @stonereportersnews
Add comment
Comments