'We're Not Afraid of Peter Obi, Tinubu Will Crush Him in Lagos in 2027' — Presidency

Presidential spokesman Sunday Dare has expressed confidence that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will reclaim Lagos State in the 2027 presidential election, insisting that former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi will not be able to repeat his 2023 electoral success in the state.

Dare, who serves as the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communications, made the remarks during an appearance on the Mic On Podcast, where he dismissed claims that Obi remains the biggest political threat to President Tinubu ahead of the next general election.

According to him, the Tinubu administration is focused on governance rather than political calculations, arguing that its record in office will ultimately convince Nigerians to renew the President's mandate.

He maintained that the government has spent the past three years confronting Nigeria's economic and governance challenges through reforms and policy initiatives, adding that the administration now has a performance record it can present to voters.

Speaking on Peter Obi's prospects, Dare argued that the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate no longer possesses the political momentum that enabled him to defeat Tinubu in Lagos during the 2023 presidential election.

"Peter Obi defeated President Tinubu in Lagos in 2023. This is 2027; he can't defeat Tinubu again in Lagos," Dare declared.

The presidential aide also criticized Obi's style of public engagement, claiming that the former governor often fails to provide direct answers to questions during interviews, leaving audiences confused by lengthy explanations.

Dare insisted that the Tinubu administration is not intimidated by Obi's growing political influence, stressing that the government believes its achievements in office will speak louder than opposition rhetoric during the 2027 campaign season.

His comments come as political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections continue to gather momentum, with major parties intensifying efforts to position themselves for what is expected to be a fiercely contested presidential race.

Obi, who shocked many political observers by defeating Tinubu in Lagos during the 2023 presidential election, remains one of the leading opposition figures expected to challenge the incumbent President in 2027.

The exchange is likely to fuel fresh political debate over whether Lagos—long regarded as Tinubu's political stronghold—will once again become one of the country's most closely watched battlegrounds in the next presidential election.