Two groups, Grassroots Mobilisation Initiative (GMI) and the Democracy Watch Initiative (DWI), have criticised the recent call by Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, for asking President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to resign.
They described the demand as “childish, unconstitutional and disconnected from democratic realities.”
In a joint statement signed by GMI director of Media, Emeka Wogu, and DWI director of Strategic Communications, Tunji Bamidele, the groups argued that Nigeria’s democracy provides constitutional mechanisms for leadership evaluation and change, not pressure through social media campaigns.
The organisations said Obi’s comments amounted to political grandstanding and failed to recognise the ongoing reforms and institutional changes being implemented by the Tinubu administration.
The coalitions described Obi’s comments as “social media grandstanding” by a political actor completely disconnected from constitutional realities, democratic processes, and the incremental, foundational victories currently taking shape on the ground across Nigerian communities.
The statement read: “We need to remind Mr Obi that Nigeria operates under a constitutional presidential democracy, not a social media echo chamber or an internet debate.
“You do not bully a democratically elected sitting president out of office simply because you are dissatisfied with the pace of governance. The proper test of public support remains the ballot box and democratic institutions.”
The coalitions pointed to recent electoral outcomes across various parts of the country as evidence that Nigerians continue to engage with democratic processes and make their choices through elections rather than online discourse.
According to the groups, the local government and senatorial elections conducted in Ekiti State and across key constituencies in Nasarawa, Enugu, Ondo and Rivers states reflected public confidence in the governing party and demonstrated that democratic participation remains active across the country.
The organisations urged political actors and citizens to assess the administration based on measurable developments rather than partisan narratives.
“Restoring Security and Territorial Integrity: President Tinubu did not inherit a stable nation; he inherited severe security deficits across multiple zones. Today, the Armed Forces are systematically taking the fight to criminal elements, clearing over 15,000 terrorists out of critical forest reserves and neutralising high-profile bandit kingpins.
“Placed families in Borno and the Northwest are steadily returning to reconstructed communities. Fiscal Decentralisation & Empowering Local Governance: For decades, local government areas (LGAs) and state governors complained of a lack of funds to fix community infrastructure.
