Kolade-Otitoju Tackles Obi Over Prayer for Tinubu, Says President Is Returning Tuesday

Media personality and journalist Babajide Kolade-Otitoju has criticised former Anambra State governor and 2027 presidential candidate Peter Obi over his call for Nigerians to pray for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s safe return to Nigeria.

Kolade-Otitoju described Obi’s appeal as hypocritical, while insisting that there was no indication that the President was missing or in danger.

“Peter Obi telling Nigerians to pray for the president is hypocritical. The president does not need Peter Obi's prayers, because his hypocrisy is off the charts. We know that the president is alive and returning tomorrow,” Kolade-Otitoju said.

His comments followed Obi’s recent criticism of Tinubu’s prolonged absence from Nigeria and his non-attendance at the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York.

Obi had questioned the absence of the Nigerian President from the global gathering, asking why the leader of Africa’s most populous country was not present while other leaders, including Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama, attended the UNGA.

Obi subsequently urged Nigerians to “continue to pray for his return and for his leadership in addressing the many challenges confronting the nation.”

Reports indicate that Tinubu is expected to return to Nigeria on Tuesday, September 29, after spending about four weeks in Europe on what the Presidency described as a working vacation.

Vanguard reported that the President is expected to arrive through Lagos and remain there for Nigeria’s October 1 Independence anniversary before returning to Abuja the following weekend.

The Guardian also reported that the President was expected back in Lagos on Tuesday, following the adjustment of his return schedule.

The Presidency has said Tinubu is hale and hearty and would return to Nigeria during the week.

Kolade-Otitoju’s remarks therefore come amid a wider political debate over the President’s extended absence, his decision not to attend the UNGA and the level of information provided publicly about his movements.

While Obi framed his comments as a call for prayers for the President’s safe return and effective leadership, Kolade-Otitoju interpreted the statement differently, describing it as hypocritical.

Tinubu’s expected return on Tuesday is also set to precede Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary on October 1, which he is expected to mark in Lagos.