Presidential aide calls Peter Obi overhyped, cites Anambra failure
Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to President Bola Tinubu, said on X on September 12, 2026 that Peter Obi is overhyped and overrated, calling him clueless and a spectacular failure as governor of Anambra State. He dismissed claims that Obi would perform well as Nigeria's president, saying his supporters think he can work miracles. Onanuga wrote: 'Peter Obi is simply overhyped and overrated. The guy is clueless. As Anambra governor, he was a spectacular failure. Now gunning for a higher office, his supporters think he can perform a miracle. How? Governance is not by magic. A wannabe national leader must have a governance pedigree, which Peter lacks. He changes his positions like a chameleon. And his worldview is dictated by his mob on social media.'
This attack comes amid early maneuvering for the 2027 presidential race, highlighting the ruling party's effort to undermine Obi's credibility ahead of the election. While Obi's supporters counter that his record includes successful private sector leadership and a focus on anti-corruption, the exchange underscores the growing role of social media in shaping political narratives.
Readers should weigh the statement's source—a Tinubu aide with clear political allegiance—against Obi's own claims and consider what qualifications they value most in a national leader: proven governance experience, business acumen, or the ability to mobilize online followings. As campaigning intensifies, further rebuttals and counter-claims are likely.