The Presidency has criticised former Anambra State Governor and presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, accusing his supporters of shielding him from scrutiny and holding him to a different standard from other political actors.

Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, made the remarks in a series of posts on X on Saturday while reacting to the latest response by the Anambra State Government to comments attributed to Obi.

Onanuga accused Obi’s supporters of defending him whenever his claims are challenged, alleging that they have created what he described as a double standard around the former governor.

He cited the Anambra State Government’s criticism of Obi over his reported attacks on successive administrations in the state, including those of former governors Chinwoke Mbadinuju, Chris Ngige and his successors.

According to the statement referenced by Onanuga, Obi has, since leaving office, continued to criticise successive administrations in Anambra through his media team, including Val Obienyem and others.

Onanuga also alleged that Obi’s supporters tolerate statements they consider inaccurate because of their loyalty to him, arguing that such conduct does not promote accountability or ethical standards in public life.

He said those who genuinely support Obi should encourage him to make claims that can withstand scrutiny rather than defending him whenever his assertions are challenged.

The presidential aide also accused Obi’s supporters of applying different standards to the former governor and other political actors.

He cited the criticism directed at Anambra Governor Chukwuma Soludo for supporting a political candidate other than Obi, while arguing that Obi himself should equally be free to decide whom he supports when he is not contesting an election.

Onanuga further challenged Obi’s approach to governance, particularly his emphasis on government savings and interest income. He argued that governance should be assessed by its impact on citizens, including security, welfare and living conditions, rather than principally by the amount of money accumulated in government accounts.

In one of his posts, Onanuga quoted the Anambra government as saying there was a “dangerous trend” of applying different standards to Obi and other politicians.

He also reproduced the government's criticism of what it described as Obi's persistent attacks on his predecessors and succeAnambr

In another post, Onanuga reproduced the Anambra government's allegation that Obi's supporters effectively give him room to make claims without consequences, while those who challenge such claims are portrayed negatively.

The presidential aide's fourth argument focused on Obi's governance philosophy, which he said appeared overly influenced by his background in business and trading.

Onanuga argued that government should place greater emphasis on improving citizens' security and welfare than on savings and interest earnings.

He concluded the series of posts by declaring that, in his assessment, Obi was “unfit to govern Nigeria,” linking the judgment to what he described as Obi's approach to public finance and development.