By Sunday Apah
The Presidency has refuted accusations that President Bola Tinubu is responsible for the recent challenges encountered by opposition parties in Nigeria, labeling such claims as baseless and politically charged.
In an interview on Arise News’ Prime Time on Thursday evening, Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, clarified the situation.
Onanuga rejected allegations that President Tinubu was meddling in the operations or meetings of opposition coalitions, particularly regarding the newly formed alliance between former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party leader Peter Obi, and others affiliated with the African Democratic Congress.
“There seems to be a common tendency in Nigeria to blame Tinubu for any issues that arise. When people experience difficulties, their immediate reaction is often to point fingers at him. This is simply not accurate; he wasn’t even in the country when many of these incidents occurred,” Onanuga stated.
Opposition figures have claimed that venues reserved for political gatherings were unexpectedly canceled, forcing members of the ADC coalition to navigate long distances to the Shehu Musa Yaradua Centre in Abuja to evade security scrutiny.
Onanuga dismissed assertions that the current administration is quelling dissent or suppressing opposition voices.
“This government upholds the principles of free speech. I have heard accusations suggesting that we are against freedom of expression, which is utterly false. This administration promotes free speech, free opinion, and freedom of the press. If a hotel chooses to cancel an event reservation, does that imply that Tinubu owns the hotel?” he questioned.
Addressing the emerging coalition between Atiku and Obi, Onanuga noted that political alliances do not necessarily guarantee success at the polls.
“Atiku has participated in more presidential races than anyone else—more than Tinubu and Obi combined. Each time, he has fallen short. Buhari faced similar setbacks multiple times, yet he ultimately triumphed, with Tinubu’s support,” he remarked.
He further indicated that Atiku’s approach in the 2023 elections, which largely appealed to northern sentiments, was unsuccessful with Southern voters. “If he attempts that strategy again, how can he expect to gain support from the South? Even with Obi as a running mate, it’s uncertain whether Obi’s supporters from 2023 will back him again,” he added.
Onanuga reiterated that Tinubu continues to enjoy substantial backing in the North, pointing to significant appointments and policies as evidence of the region’s support for his administration.
“This president is doing a great deal for the North. He has placed individuals from the North-West and North-East in senior positions. In politics, reciprocation is essential. The criticism does not align with the reality on the ground. Many are reaping the benefits,” he stated.
He concluded by emphasizing that, at the appropriate time, President Tinubu would leverage the goodwill fostered by his administration’s initiatives across the nation.
