On March 25, 2025, a statement from Nigeria’s presidency, delivered through President Bola Tinubu’s spokesman Bayo Onanuga, stirred significant online debate after Tinubu warned Peter Obi, the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, to “watch his mouth” and refrain from “running his government down.” The warning came in response to Obi’s remarks at a colloquium celebrating Emeka Ihedioha’s 60th birthday, where he claimed that Nigeria’s democracy had “collapsed” under Tinubu’s leadership. The presidency condemned Obi’s statement as “hyperbolic” and lacking “logical foundation,” arguing that Nigeria’s democracy, strengthened over 26 years, could not be deemed collapsed when Obi himself benefits from its free speech provisions. This political clash, reported by Peoples Gazette, quickly became a trending topic on X, with Nigerians expressing a wide range of reactions to the presidency’s stance.
The original post by Peoples Gazette (@GazetteNGR) on X, shared at 08:23 UTC on March 25, 2025, garnered immediate attention, racking up replies that reflected the polarized sentiments of Nigerians. Some users mocked the presidency’s response, while others questioned the framing of the story, and a few saw the warning as a sign of political weakness.
One of the earliest reactions came from @imoga1313, who replied at 08:24 UTC with a taunting tone: “Him never see anything 
.” The use of laughter emojis suggested a dismissive attitude toward Tinubu’s warning, implying that Obi’s critique might only intensify. Similarly, @BarackOgreen9ja at 08:27 UTC quipped, “Lol! Animal talk don come again,” a sarcastic jab that likened the presidency’s response to crude or unrefined rhetoric, a sentiment often used on Nigerian X to criticize political discourse perceived as lacking depth.
Other users expressed skepticism about the framing of the story itself. @kingkhone4real, replying at 08:26 UTC, called out the post with, “Another twisted caption,” suggesting that Peoples Gazette may have sensationalized the presidency’s statement for attention. This sentiment was echoed by @EzeChineduChri1 at 08:27 UTC, who labeled the caption “misleading” and referred to the outlet as “gutter media,” reflecting distrust in the media’s portrayal of the political spat.
However, not all reactions were dismissive or critical of the presidency. Some users interpreted Tinubu’s warning as a sign of vulnerability. @HenryOsuchukwu, at 08:26 UTC, found the situation “interesting,” noting, “They didn’t use any technicalities this time to counter Obi’s statement. Now, it’s a direct threat. They are folding… .” This user saw the presidency’s direct approach as a departure from previous strategies, interpreting it as a sign of weakness or desperation in the face of Obi’s growing influence. The laughter emojis underscored a tone of amusement at the perceived political misstep.
Humor also permeated the reactions, with users like @TheLionKin76627 at 08:26 UTC questioning the legitimacy of Tinubu’s government entirely: “ Tinubu has a government? Fucking Rigger!” The use of “Rigger” alluded to ongoing allegations of electoral fraud that have dogged Tinubu since the 2023 election, a sore point for many of Obi’s supporters who believe he was the rightful winner. Similarly, @mrkellyleo at 08:26 UTC responded with a playful, “ he say wetin,” reflecting a lighthearted disbelief at the presidency’s stern tone.
Some users drew parallels to international politics to highlight what they saw as hypocrisy or overreach. @Chykes_Mozes at 08:26 UTC remarked, “Biden for don arrest trump be that na ,” suggesting that if such a warning were issued in a country like the United States, it might have led to more severe consequences, thereby questioning the democratic credentials of Tinubu’s administration.
The reactions on X also tied into broader trending discussions about Nigeria’s democracy and governance. Posts under the trend “Nigeria’s democracy under scrutiny as Peter Obi’s critique stirs debate” revealed a mix of support for Obi’s perspective and criticism of the government’s response. For instance, @emmaikumeh on March 24, 2025, agreed with Obi, stating, “I agree completely with Mr Peter Obi, that democracy is failing in Nigeria. He didn’t spear President Tinubu at all.” Meanwhile, @CofEnugu highlighted Obi’s proposed strategies for power generation and economic stability, contrasting them with the current administration’s efforts, such as learning from Egypt’s power sector—a move some users, like @Elkrosmediahub, mocked as belated compared to Obi’s earlier initiatives.
The X reactions paint a picture of a deeply divided Nigerian populace. While some users ridiculed the presidency’s warning as a sign of insecurity or an overreaction, others questioned the media’s role in amplifying the conflict. The humorous and sarcastic tones prevalent in many replies suggest a broader frustration with the state of political discourse in Nigeria, where personal attacks often overshadow substantive debate. At the same time, the support for Obi’s critique, as seen in related trends, indicates that his voice continues to resonate with a significant portion of Nigerians who feel disillusioned with Tinubu’s leadership.
This online firestorm underscores the power of X as a platform for political expression in Nigeria, where citizens are quick to voice their opinions, often with wit and skepticism. As the 2027 elections loom, the reactions to this incident suggest that the rivalry between Tinubu and Obi—and the broader debate over Nigeria’s democratic health—will remain a contentious and closely watched issue.
Premier League