President Bola Tinubu has criticised former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi over his handling of erosion challenges in the state, while questioning the leadership qualities and political consistency of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar.

Tinubu made the remarks on Friday while addressing supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at a campaign rally in Akwa Ibom State.

Although he did not mention Obi by name, the President referred to the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), accusing him of failing to address erosion problems in Anambra during his tenure as governor.

He contrasted Obi’s record with his own experience as governor of Lagos State, claiming to have successfully tackled challenges posed by the Atlantic Ocean.

“There is one who said he is in one party they call NDC, who is running for president. He ran away from erosion in Anambra State. And he said he wants to be a president. Which president?” Tinubu said.

He further praised Akwa Ibom State Governor Umo Eno for his efforts in addressing erosion challenges in the state.

“I, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, confronted the Atlantic Ocean; I tamed it for you. Governor Umo Eno confronted the erosion in Akwa Ibom and he is working for you. He is stable,” he added.

The President also criticised Atiku, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), questioning his political loyalty following his departure from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Tinubu accused the former vice-president of abandoning the PDP, where he had previously occupied prominent positions, over internal disagreements before aligning with the ADC.

He questioned whether Atiku’s political decisions reflected the leadership qualities required to govern the country.

“If a man that once upon a time was a baby of the PDP, became a father of the PDP and, because of a little inconvenience, he ran away from that party and formed a dangerous ADC in another party. Is that a leadership trait? Is that a leadership character?” he asked.

Tinubu further argued that the opposition lacked the capacity to manage internal disagreements and maintain political stability.

He also defended the APC, describing it as a stronger political platform with experienced and dependable leaders compared with what he called smaller opposition parties.

The President cited former APC National Chairman, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, and other party leaders as examples of individuals whose contributions had helped build unity and strengthen the ruling party.

“We are not like other mushroom parties. They don’t have the kind of character and the calibre of people that we have,” Tinubu said.