Spokesman for the Peter Obi Media Reach (POMR), Idris Zekeri Jr., has criticised the administration of President Bola Tinubu over its handling of insecurity and hardship in the country, accusing government officials of being disconnected from the realities facing many Nigerians.
Speaking during an appearance on Arise Prime Time on Thursday June 25, 2026 Zekeri expressed concern over what he described as the government’s apparent indifference to the plight of vulnerable citizens, particularly victims of insecurity and communities affected by kidnappings.
Referencing recent remarks by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, who had defended the administration’s performance and argued that claims of widespread suffering were exaggerated, Zekeri said such comments failed to reflect the gravity of the challenges confronting many Nigerians.
According to him, the country continues to grapple with serious security concerns, including cases of kidnapped children who remain in captivity.
“As we speak, there are over forty children being held in a forest somewhere, and it is a tragedy,” Zekeri said.
He argued that public officials should demonstrate greater empathy when discussing the country’s security and economic challenges, insisting that the experiences of affected families and communities should not be downplayed.
Zekeri specifically took issue with what he described as the tone of Onanuga’s recent television appearance, during which the presidential spokesman maintained that government reforms were yielding results and rejected suggestions that Nigerians were experiencing unprecedented hardship.
“And a presidential spokesman comes on television, instead of crying on air, he says he sees nothing wrong, that people are not suffering,” Zekeri stated.
The POMR spokesman contended that widespread poverty and insecurity have created conditions that require urgent government intervention rather than assurances that the situation is improving.
He maintained that the administration’s assessment of the country’s condition differs sharply from the experiences of many citizens struggling with rising living costs and persistent security threats.
Zekeri’s comments came as the exchange between supporters of former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi and the presidency intensified following Obi’s recent call for President Tinubu to resign over what he described as worsening economic and security conditions.
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