Complainer-in-chief’: Lagos APC blasts Peter Obi over Tinubu vacation remarks

The All Progressives Congress, APC, in Lagos State has cautioned former presidential candidate, Peter Obi, against what it described as “habitual knee-jerk reactions” to national issues, urging him to adopt a more constructive approach to opposition politics.

The party’s spokesperson, Mogaji Seye Oladejo, issued the statement while responding to Obi’s recent comments questioning President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s private vacation and its purported link to the country’s security challenges.

Oladejo argued that Nigeria deserves a credible and responsible opposition, not what he termed “a professional complainer-in-chief,” noting that Obi’s unrelenting criticism of the president reflects more of political desperation than genuine patriotism.

“Must Peter Obi comment on everything?” he asked. “Nigerians are not deceived. His constant moralising of the President’s every move is less about patriotism and more about seeking cheap relevance. By attempting to paint himself as the nation’s conscience, he trivialises governance and reduces complex issues to social media talking points.”

The APC spokesperson maintained that President Tinubu remains in full control of state matters despite being on a short vacation, stressing that modern governance allows leaders to remain fully briefed and connected with their security and intelligence teams at all times.

“Mr Obi knows this, but he prefers posturing over pragmatism. Leadership also requires knowing when to speak, how to speak, and when silence is the better choice. Unfortunately, Obi appears to believe that his political relevance depends on reacting to every government action or inaction, regardless of context or consequence.”

He advised Obi’s aides to pay closer attention to how their principal engages with the public, warning that constant agitation and reactionary remarks risk damaging his image as a statesman.

While emphasising that the APC-led administration is focused on economic recovery, national security, and restoring confidence in public institutions, Oladejo accused Obi of offering “nothing beyond soundbites, sermons, and perpetual complaints,” without concrete policy alternatives.

“Peter Obi’s comments amount to noise, not leadership or patriotism,” he said. “If he has meaningful contributions to make, let him present them responsibly. Otherwise, silence is an honourable option. For us in the APC, under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, our focus remains on governance, not political theatre.”