The Peter Obi Media Reach (POMR) has criticized the Presidency over its response to the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress Peter Obi’s call for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to resign, insisting that leadership should be measured by accountability and responsibility rather than attacks on critics.

Obi had on Monday urged President Tinubu to step down, citing what he described as a “monumental failure” in governance and worsening living conditions across the country.

The former Governor of Anambra State said he was inspired to reflect on leadership accountability after listening to the resignation speech of British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who announced plans to leave office amid public dissatisfaction over economic challenges and unmet campaign promises.

However, the Presidency, through the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, dismissed Obi’s position as misplaced. Onanuga argued that Obi’s comparison between Nigeria and the United Kingdom was flawed because both countries operate different political systems.

He further pointed to recent electoral victories recorded by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State and some senatorial districts as evidence of continued public support for President Tinubu and his administration.

Responding on Tuesday, POMR spokesperson, Idris Zekeri, accused the Presidency of failing to address the substance of Obi’s concerns and instead resorting to insults, distractions, and political rhetoric.

According to Zekeri, the Presidency focused on what he described as a “charade election” and debates about Nigeria’s system of government rather than engaging with the central issue of leadership accountability.

“Our principal’s call was for President Bola Tinubu to learn a lesson from the action of the British Prime Minister, who chose to resign after acknowledging that his government had failed to sufficiently improve the living conditions of its citizens,” Zekeri stated.

He emphasized that Obi’s remarks were neither personal nor partisan but were intended as a reflection on leadership standards and public responsibility.

“Obi’s intervention was neither personal nor partisan. It was a reflection on leadership and accountability. Unfortunately, rather than engage with the substance of the argument, the Presidency chose to respond with insults, distortions, and self-congratulatory rhetoric,” he said.

Zekeri further argued that the past three years have been among the most difficult periods in Nigeria’s recent history, citing rising poverty levels, mounting public debt, and worsening economic conditions.

He alleged that millions of Nigerians are facing severe hardship as businesses struggle to survive, manufacturers contend with high production costs, and consumer demand continues to weaken.

“No amount of political rhetoric and grandstanding can conceal the fact that millions of Nigerians are enduring unprecedented economic hardship. Businesses are shutting down. Manufacturers face unbearable production costs, while warehouses are filled with unsold goods because of weak consumer demand,” he said.

The POMR spokesperson urged the Federal Government to focus on pressing national issues, including insecurity, unemployment, poverty, power shortages, declining productivity, and what he described as a growing loss of public confidence in governance.

He maintained that Nigerians deserve leaders who are willing to listen, accept responsibility, and provide practical solutions to the country’s challenges.

“Nigerians deserve leadership that listens more than it lectures and accepts responsibility rather than constantly searching for excuses,” Zekeri added.

The exchange between Obi and the Presidency comes amid growing public debate over the state of Nigeria’s economy, governance, and the performance of the current administration as citizens continue to grapple with rising costs of living and economic uncertainty.