Why I Will Never Abuse Tinubu – Peter Obi

The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has declared that he will never resort to personal insults or verbal abuse against President Bola Tinubu, emphasizing that the Nigerian leader commands his full personal respect.

Obi made the remark on Friday while addressing media executives and stakeholders at the 2026 All Nigeria Editors’ Conference held in Enugu State.

Speaking on the theme of the summit, “The Ballot, the Media and the Task of Keeping Democracy Alive,” the former Anambra State governor argued that political discourse and electioneering should center strictly on governance policies, national development, and performance metrics rather than personal vilification.

“I cannot abuse any governor. I cannot abuse anybody in government. I don’t need to abuse people even in the federal government. I’ve never abused anybody. Who has seen me calling President Tinubu’s name? Never! I will not do that. He’s the President of the country, he has all my respect,” Obi said.

However, the opposition leader clarified that extending personal respect to public officeholders must not be mistaken for blind compliance, stressing that citizens, civil society, and the press retain the fundamental obligation to hold government officials accountable.

He further noted that the moral integrity, public conduct, and rhetoric of political leadership directly shape societal values, calling on media editors and journalists to rigorously evaluate political actors based on their past records, policy declarations, and verifiable qualifications.