President Bola Tinubu has cautioned Peter Obi to be mindful of his statements and stop undermining his administration.

In a statement issued by presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga, the presidency condemned Obi’s “exaggerated” criticism of Tinubu’s leadership.

Obi, a former presidential candidate and ex-governor, had accused the Tinubu administration of political brigandage and corruption, claiming that democracy in Nigeria had collapsed. The presidency strongly rejected this assertion.

“I urge him to watch what he says and restrain himself from playing to the gallery,” Onanuga warned. “His hyperbolic remarks, suited for headlines, have been made without deep reflection and lack a solid logical foundation.”

He described Obi as a “discontented and disgruntled” politician, arguing that his claims were baseless.

“How can a democracy that has strengthened over the past 26 years be said to have collapsed?” Onanuga questioned. “Only a discontented Peter Obi, who enjoys the very free speech democracy provides, could perceive such a democratic downfall.”

He added that if democracy had indeed collapsed, Obi would not have been able to make his comments at Emeka Ihedioha’s colloquium on Monday.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo also criticized the Tinubu administration during the event.