Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, has criticised former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, questioning his capacity to lead Nigeria based on his tenure as governor of Anambra State.
Speaking to journalists on Friday in Abuja, Akume dismissed Obi’s recurring calls to “rescue” the country, stating that the former governor had failed to make significant progress in his home state and therefore lacked the credentials to manage the affairs of all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
“If Peter Obi could not rescue Anambra, he’s talking of rescuing the 36 states and Abuja,” Akume said.
The SGF praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s leadership, describing him as a unifying figure across religious and cultural lines.
“Like I have already said, it’s like differences without division, rivalry. We love this country and we have to borrow from the example of President Bola Tinubu. He’s a Muslim but at peace with all of us: Christians, Muslims and traditionalists. Nigeria is a huge country on the move, and under his direction, we know that we are going to reach the promised land,” he said.
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Akume also claimed that the Nigerian economy is improving under President Tinubu, despite being in a difficult state when he assumed office.
“I know he inherited a very bad economy but we are out of it. Today, our Gross Domestic Product (GDP) has grown by 4.4%. What are people hanging around talking about? Coming to rescue Nigeria. Which Nigeria?” he added.
The SGF further criticised other unnamed political figures, stating that they failed to make tangible impact even in their respective states.
“For other people I don’t want to mention their names. They came, they saw, they didn’t conquer even in their states,” he said.
Peter Obi served as the Governor of Anambra State from 2006 to 2014 and contested the 2023 presidential election under the Labour Party platform, where he gained significant support, particularly among young voters.
