Posted by Former Anambra State governor Peter Obi revoked his recognition of Bola Tinubu as Nigeria’s president on Friday.
Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate, ran in and lost the 2023 presidential election to Tinubu, who was proclaimed the winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in February.
Tinubu’s victory is being challenged in court by the former Anambra State governor and former vice president Atiku Abubakar of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). Both third and second-place finishers believe they won the election and want Tinubu fired by the court.
Tinubu has not been addressed as president since his inauguration on Monday, May 29, 2023, when he succeeded outgoing President Muhammadu Buhari. Obi, on the other hand, did on Friday.
On Wednesday, President Tinubu was greeted with a hero’s welcome in Lagos, the state he managed from 1999 to 2007 and has been important in choosing consecutive leaders. It was his first trip to Nigeria since becoming president.
Hundreds of his followers and political luminaries, including Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, greeted him on the ground.
However, the president’s visit became a huge source of criticism after a lengthy motorcade accompanied him to his new private residence. Several SUVs were seen rushing ahead of and behind Tinubu’s vehicle. This comes as Nigerians are wailing about the rise in petrol prices caused by the withdrawal of fuel subsidies declared by Tinubu during his inaugural presidential speech.
Olusegun Dada, Tinubu’s digital media adviser, said in a tweet.
According to critics, “the official vehicles of the president and principal aides account for less than 10% of the Motorcade.”
“The other vehicles in the Presidential motorcade belong to several State Governors, heads of all security agencies, Party Leaders, and political associates of the President who were all at the airport to receive him,” Dada explained.
Obi said this amid a barrage of criticism and defense from Tinubu’s supporters.
“Sacrifices for a better Nigeria must begin with leaders at all levels of government,” he says.
In his initial tweet, the Labour Party candidate stated that he has yet to see the film “allegedly showing Mr President with about a 120-car convoy.”
After his remark, Obi removed the tweet and replaced it with another that did not mention Tinubu as president.
“We cannot continue to preach for people to sacrifice without also sacrificing,” Obi stated later in a tweet. “Because the people are suffering, leaders must now make visible and measurable sacrifices at all times.” We must now take the lead in relieving the suffering.”