Abaribe Accuses Tinubu of Incompetence, Backs Peter Obi

The Senator representing Abia South, Enyinnaya Abaribe, has accused President Bola Tinubu of incompetence in the running of the country, arguing that former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, would perform better if given the opportunity.

Abaribe made the remarks on Monday night while appearing on Channels Television’s Politics Today.

He described the Tinubu administration as what he termed a “Kabiyesi government,” alleging that dissenting views are no longer tolerated.

“There are many Nigerians who are democrats who can run this country like Peter Obi, and he will be my candidate,” Abaribe said.

“The point is not him alone, but the way the whole government has turned into a Kabiyesi government, where the president can do no wrong and anything he says must be accepted.

“That is not how to run a government. You run a government by people challenging your views. Right now, any view that challenges the government is seen as treason,” he added.

The lawmaker also criticised what he described as the involvement of President Tinubu’s family in governance, stressing that Nigeria operates a democratic system and not a monarchy.

“But the point is, when you look at somebody’s antecedents and how the person carried himself, throughout Peter Obi’s tenure as governor, did you ever hear about his children or his wife? No,” Abaribe said.

“This is a country, not a monarchy. This is a democracy. You don’t put your family in the public space or allow them to continue to use state resources. That is never done,” he stated.

Abaribe further dismissed claims that he supports or participates in the popular “on your mandate” song associated with President Tinubu.

“I don’t think the people standing on the mandate really enjoy standing on the mandate. I have never sung it and I will never sing it,” he said.

“When the budget is brought to the National Assembly, we stand up for the Nigerian national anthem, and if people decide to play the mandate song, check where I sit — I remain seated. I don’t follow them,” Abaribe added.