Tinubu is fit to govern — APC chairman replies Peter Obi

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, has rejected claims by former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, that President Bola Tinubu is too tired to continue leading the country.

Yilwatda insisted that Tinubu remains physically fit and committed to his responsibilities as President, dismissing calls for him to step aside ahead of the 2027 general election.

The APC chairman made the remarks during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today, where he questioned the basis of Obi’s comments and argued that leadership capacity should not be judged by physical appearance.

“Is he going for boxing or the 100 metres?” Yilwatda asked.

He said Tinubu maintains a demanding work schedule and remains actively involved in governance, citing a recent meeting with the President as evidence of his commitment.

“President Tinubu is in the office every day. I was with him last Thursday. He was there in the morning and left late at night. That is someone who works from morning till night. People talk about the rigours of office, but the President is standing and carrying out his responsibilities,” he said.

Yilwatda was responding to comments made by Obi during the same programme, where the former Anambra State governor argued that Tinubu should retire after completing his current tenure.

“The Bola Tinubu that was governor is not the one that is president today. He’s tired. He should be allowed to retire in peace and then go home,” Obi had said.

Obi argued that Nigeria requires energetic leadership capable of tackling insecurity, economic hardship, hunger and poverty, adding that the 2027 election should focus on addressing the country’s major challenges.

In his response, Yilwatda defended the Tinubu administration’s achievements, citing programmes such as the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) as evidence of the government’s impact.

“You mean the millions of students receiving loans and celebrating them every day on social media, together with their parents who are hoping their children will access higher education through NELFUND, want the President to retire?” he asked.

The APC chairman also pointed to major infrastructure projects, including the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, port modernisation and gas pipeline expansion, as signs that the administration remains focused on delivering its agenda.

While admitting that Nigeria faces economic and security challenges, Yilwatda maintained that many of the issues existed before the Tinubu administration and said the government was making progress in addressing them.