President Bola Tinubu has criticised Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), accusing the former Anambra governor of failing to address erosion during his time in office.
Tinubu made the remarks on Friday at the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential rally in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital.
He contrasted Obi’s record on erosion with his own experience as Lagos governor, claiming he had successfully confronted the Atlantic Ocean.
“There is one who says he is in a party they call NDC, who is running for president. He ran away from erosion in Anambra state,” Tinubu said.
“He could not confront erosion. I, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, confronted the Atlantic Ocean. I tamed it for him.”
The president repeated his criticism at the inauguration of the Arise Palm Resort in Uyo.
Tinubu praised Akwa Ibom Governor Umo Eno for developing the facility, which he described as an achievement Obi failed to deliver during his administration in Anambra.
“Here we are on a resort reclaimed from erosion. And we are going to enjoy life here. You want to compare the brain of this man to that of Obi?” he said.
“He ran away from erosion in… he ran away from erosion in Anambra. And he now wants to be president? President of where? Lilikabu?”
Tinubu’s comments came after Vice-President Kashim Shettima also criticised the former Anambra governor.
Speaking at the APC rally, Shettima claimed Obi had undermined his chances of contesting the 2027 presidential election through what he described as lies and bogus statistics.
He further argued that Obi had lost the public goodwill he previously enjoyed, adding that his speeches no longer generated the same excitement among Nigerians.
“I hear my friend Peter Obi is back in the country after sneaking out to have a rest. He might have avoided Lagos and Abuja on arrival,” Shettima said.
“And clearly this gentle man has run himself out of this race with his lies and bogus statistics. We warned him that he’ll get to that.
“Peter Obi has clearly messed up and squandered away his goodwill; he no longer excites when he speaks these days. He draws suspicions, too bad for him.”
Obi served two terms as governor of Anambra State from March 2006 to March 2014, with a brief interruption, under the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).
He became governor after a court overturned Chris Ngige’s victory in the 2003 governorship election.
Tinubu, meanwhile, governed Lagos State from May 1999 to May 2007, completing two terms under the Alliance for Democracy (AD).