The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate Peter Obi has dismissed President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda as a failure, describing it as “renewed hopelessness”.

He accused the President of failing to communicate directly with Nigerians amid worsening economic hardship.

Speaking during an exclusive interview on Sunday Politics, Obi said the government’s policies had failed to inspire confidence or improve the lives of ordinary citizens.

Asked whether his vision of rebuilding the economy through production resembled the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda, Obi rejected the comparison.

“No, no — that’s renewed hopelessness. It’s not working,” he said, insisting Nigerians needed “real hope” built on visible progress rather than political messaging.

The kind of hope I’ll bring is real hope — tangible hope that people will see and feel.”

Obi added that the government had failed to communicate effectively with citizens, saying President Tinubu had withdrawn from direct engagement with the public.

“It’s not even ‘audio hope’ because the man we voted for isn’t even talking to us anymore,” he said.

“The person we voted for is Bola Tinubu. He’s no longer talking to us; he’s gone into Aso Rock and turned it into a bunker.”

According to Obi, elected leaders should personally explain government decisions and remain accountable to the people.

“A leader’s first duty is to speak directly to the people,” he said.

“I will speak to the people myself. I’ll tell them: I said I would do this; this is where things stand — that’s commitment.” (Channels TV, excluding headline)