The media office of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has challenged the All Progressives Congress (APC) to explain the impact of President Bola Tinubu’s administration on Nigerians, particularly in the areas of economic relief, security and the rising cost of living.
The challenge followed an exchange between the two political camps after the APC presidential campaign council criticised Obi over his claim that he won the 2023 presidential election.
According to a report by Naija News, Idris Zekeri, spokesperson for Obi’s media office, issued the response in a statement on Saturday, urging the ruling party to focus on its performance in government rather than disputing the former Anambra State governor’s position on the election.
The APC presidential campaign council spokesperson, Dele Alake, had described Obi’s claim as troubling, insisting that a presidential candidate should provide evidence to support assertions about an election outcome.
Reacting, Zekeri argued that the government’s performance should be the primary measure of its legitimacy and success, rather than its continued defence of the 2023 election result.
He questioned the benefits ordinary Nigerians had received under Tinubu’s leadership since the administration assumed office in May 2023.
“What significance does an electoral victory have if it fails to bring meaningful improvements to the lives of the people?” Zekeri asked.
He further criticised the administration over the economic difficulties facing citizens, alleging that Nigerians were experiencing increased hardship, rising living expenses, worsening poverty and growing insecurity.
According to him, the legal confirmation of an election result does not automatically translate into effective leadership or shield an administration from public scrutiny.
“We recognise that the courts affirmed the official result of the 2023 presidential election. Nevertheless, a legal victory does not amount to successful governance, nor does it place an administration beyond public examination and accountability,” he said.
Zekeri maintained that political leaders should be assessed based on their ability to improve living conditions and deliver tangible benefits to the population.
He added that winning an election or defending its outcome in court should not be considered sufficient evidence of good governance.
“Leadership should be judged not by the ability to win or appropriate an election or defend its result in court but by the capacity to transform political authority into concrete outcomes,” he stated.
The NDC presidential candidate’s media office also questioned the economic relief and improved security that Nigerians expected from the Tinubu administration, demanding explanations from the ruling party on the outcomes of its policies.
“Where is the relief Nigerians were promised? Where is the economic prosperity? Where are the security, affordability, and renewed hope that responsible leadership should provide?” Zekeri asked.
He concluded that the true measure of political success should be the improvements citizens experience in their daily lives rather than the celebrations of politicians following electoral victories.
“Victory should be measured not by what politicians celebrate at the polls but by what people can celebrate in their homes, workplaces, farms, and communities,” he said.
The exchange comes amid continuing political disagreements over the 2023 presidential election and growing debate over the Tinubu administration’s handling of Nigeria’s economy, security challenges and cost-of-living pressures ahead of the 2027 general elections.
