Posted by Chinenye on Fri 25th Sep, 2026 - tori.ng
Peter Obi says he will not insult or personally attack President Bola Tinubu, even when he disagrees with his decisions.
(Peter Obi. Photo Credit: X/Peter Obi)
Peter Obi, the NDC's 2027 presidential candidate, says he will never personally attack President Tinubu.
He respects both the man and the office.
Speaking at the All Nigeria Editors' Conference in Enugu on Friday, Obi stressed that political disagreement should centre on policies and performance, not name-calling.
He extends this respect to all government officials across the country.
"I cannot abuse any governor. I cannot abuse anybody in government," Obi said.
"He's the President of the country, he has all my respect."
But respect for office holders doesn't mean staying silent about their work, he added.
Citizens and the media must be free to question whether leaders are doing their jobs properly and making sound decisions.
That scrutiny is fair game.
Obi pressed political leaders to be models of integrity.
Leaders set the tone for society through their character and behaviour, he argued, so they need to live up to that responsibility.
Politicians should expect their records, statements and qualifications to be examined closely.
It's part of accountability in democracy.
The difference, as Obi sees it, is between criticising what someone does and attacking who they are.
One strengthens democracy.
The other corrodes it.