As Nigeria’s political discourse continues to unfold with high-profile exchanges between current and former political leaders, a fresh round of verbal sparring has emerged between the camps of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Labour Party stalwart, Peter Obi.
This time, the debate centers around a recent diplomatic visit made by President Tinubu to the Caribbean nation of Saint Lucia—an event that has drawn sharp criticism from Obi and an equally firm rebuttal from one of the president’s top aides.
Temitope Ajayi, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, took to his official X (formerly Twitter) account on Tuesday, July 1, 2025, to respond to Obi’s remarks, accusing the former Anambra State governor of having a limited understanding of what it means to lead a country.
Ajayi’s comment was sparked by Obi’s social media post, where he questioned the value of President Tinubu’s visit to Saint Lucia—a country with a population under 180,000 and a landmass reportedly smaller than that of Makurdi in Benue State.
Peter Obi, known for his populist rhetoric and vocal opposition stance, had implied that visiting such a small country might not align with the strategic needs of Nigeria.
He appeared to downplay the significance of international relations with smaller nations, suggesting that such diplomatic moves were symbolic at best and not necessarily beneficial to Nigeria’s global standing.
However, Ajayi sharply disagreed with that perspective. In a strongly worded response, he asserted that international diplomacy should not be based on the size or population of a country.
He emphasized that global engagement relies on mutual interests, partnerships, and geopolitical strategy, not just numerical indicators.
Continuing his response, Ajayi made a scathing remark directed at Obi’s perceived style of governance and political commentary. He stated:
“The thing is Mr. Peter Obi thinks that the job of the President of Nigeria is to wake up every day, wear sackcloth to lament and bemoan the fate of the country.”
With that statement, Ajayi painted a picture of Obi as someone more inclined toward perpetual criticism than actionable leadership, accusing him of leveraging emotional appeal rather than offering constructive input on foreign policy or national administration.
Ajayi’s comments have since sparked discussions online, with supporters on both sides of the political divide weighing in. Some Nigerians sided with Obi, arguing that the trip may not have been necessary given the country’s current economic hardship. Others defended Tinubu’s outreach, saying that even smaller countries have roles to play in trade, diplomatic solidarity, tourism, and African-Caribbean relations.
Analysts have noted that Tinubu’s visit to Saint Lucia could be part of a broader effort to build or strengthen Nigeria’s presence in regional blocs such as CARICOM, and to reassert the country’s influence across the Black diaspora. These diplomatic gestures, while seemingly minor to critics, often serve long-term goals that may not be immediately apparent to the public.
As the political climate heats up in the lead-up to the 2027 general elections, exchanges like this between high-ranking political figures and their spokespersons are likely to become more frequent and intense.
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