President Bola Tinubu has mocked the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi; and his counterpart in the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, for defecting from one political party to the other whenever they notice challenges.

Mr Tinubu, the presidential of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), seeking re-election in 2027, took a swipe at his two major political opponents, while speaking at Uyo, Akwa-Ibom State, to inaugurate projects executed by Governor Umo Eno.

During his presidential campaign rally at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Mr Tinubu said their defections showed that they both lack leadership qualities.

He urged the electorate not to vote for them in 2027, accusing former vice president Abubakar of running away to form a dangerous party, as well as ex-Anambra State governor Obi of failing to tackle erosion while he (Tinubu) tackled the Atlantic Ocean.

Mr Tinubu said, “Many other governors, I can claim one who claims he’s in one party they call NDC, running for president, he ran away from erosion. In Anambra State, he could not confront erosion. I, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, confronted the Atlantic Ocean. I tamed it for you.

“They lack the leadership, character and traits. If a man, that once upon a time, was a baby of PDP, became a father of PDP, because of a little inconvenience, ran away from that party, and formed a dangerous ADC camp in another party, is that a leadership trait? Is that a leadership character? And he wants you to vote for him? It’s not for banana. He cannot put a house in order.”

Also, at the Akwa Ibom banquet hall, Mr Tinubu lashed out at both candidates, chastising those comparing his brain with that of Mr Obi who he said ran away from erosion in his state.

Mr Tinubu said, “But they compare the brain of this man to that of Obi. He ran away from erosion in Anambra, and he now wants to be president? President of where?

“And the other one has been fighting the roads in Adamawa where he came from. PDP was a bunch of party which some of the good people here believe in initially. Immediately a little issue came that they were going to challenge its leadership, he ran away. He abandoned the party. 

“He’s now in ADC or somewhere, and he’s looking for presidency. Will you give such a person who has no leadership quality, no sense of responsibility, no sense of cohesion that can do good to this country?”