The Political Showdown: Tinubu's Warning to Peter Ob

Bola Tinubu, a local, has cautioned Peter Obi to control his speech and refrain from disparaging his government.

The president denounced Mr. Obi's "exaggerated" criticism of the current president in a statement sent by Mr. Tinubu's spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga.

Former governor and presidential candidate Mr. Obi had declared that Nigerian democracy had crumbled and accused Mr. Tinubu's administration of political corruption and brigandage.

His assertion was rejected by the presidency.

The presidential adviser cautioned, "I will urge him to watch what he says and restrain himself from playing to the gallery." "His exaggerated statements, which are appropriate for headlines, were made without careful consideration and without a sound rational basis."

He criticized Mr. Obi as a politician who was "discontented and disgruntled."

Mr. Onanuga reasoned that the former governor of Anambra would not have been able to exercise his right to free speech if democracy had fallen apart, as Mr. Obi claimed.

The presidential spokesperson asked, "How can a democracy that has grown stronger over the last 26 years be said to have collapsed?" "Only an unhappy and irate Peter, who gains from the very freedom of speech that democracy affords, could see such a democratic collapse through his eyes."

"He would not have been able to make his remarks on Monday at Emeka Ihedioha's colloquium if democracy had really collapsed, as Peter claims, and we were living under a regime antithetical to democratic principles," he said.

During the colloquium, former President Olusegun Obasanjo also said hurtful things about the Tinubu administration.