President Bola Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, criticized former presidential candidate Peter Obi on Monday, accusing him of being inconsequential in the upcoming 2027 election. Onanuga took to his social media account to question Obi’s aggressive criticism of the Tinubu administration, suggesting that Obi and other opposition leaders unfairly target the president online.
Onanuga pointed out that President Tinubu bears no responsibility for Obi’s departure from the Labour Party or the difficulties Obi now faces within his newly joined party, the African Democratic Congress (ADC). He highlighted that Obi failed to lead in resolving the Labour Party crisis and missed the opportunity to transform the Obidient Movement into a political party. Instead, Obi joined the ADC, which Onanuga described as a party in disarray, bought from its previous owners without apparent proper due diligence.
Onanuga emphasized that if Obi were to emerge as a presidential candidate in 2027, he would not be a formidable opponent to President Tinubu. He noted that Obi’s performance in the 2023 election cannot be replicated in 2027, given Tinubu’s status as an incumbent with a record of achievements. Onanuga urged Obi and his allies to address the internal issues within the ADC before seeking to challenge the presidency.
Onanuga called Obi’s ongoing criticism of the Tinubu administration irresponsible and unfounded, stating that the president’s accomplishments should not be overshadowed by such claims. He urged Obi and others to focus on their own party-building efforts rather than engaging in “blackmail” against the president.
The comments from Onanuga reflect the ongoing political dynamics between President Tinubu and his critics ahead of the 2027 elections. As Nigeria looks ahead to the next political cycle, the focus is likely to shift to how opposition groups, including those represented by Peter Obi, will organize and present their candidacies against an incumbent president with a strong record in governance.
This statement by Onanuga underscores the strategic challenges faced by Obi and his allies, who must now prioritize reorganizing and consolidating their support ahead of a competitive electoral process. The ongoing narrative around political maneuvering and party infrastructure is set to continue as Nigeria prepares for another pivotal election cycle.
Leave a Comment