Presidential aide Bayo Onanuga blames Peter Obi and his supporters for the upcoming anti-hunger protests on August 1st, accusing them of instigating unrest in Nigeria. Read more on the allegations and their impact.
In a recent statement, Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, has accused Peter Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), of being behind the planned nationwide anti-hunger protests slated for August 1st.
According to Onanuga, Obi’s supporters are the masterminds of these protests, which aim to destabilize the nation. He emphasized that Peter Obi should be held accountable for any resulting disorder.
All Facts Newspaper reports widespread anticipation of these protests, with social media buzzing with hashtags and promotional flyers.
In a detailed post on his X (formerly Twitter) handle, Onanuga claimed that the organizers of the anti-government protests are the same individuals who disrupted the #EndSARS movement in 2020, allegedly under the influence of Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
Onanuga’s post read:
“Don’t be fooled: the malcontents planning to stage nationwide protests are supporters of Peter Obi, the failed presidential candidate of the Labour Party. And he should be held responsible for whatever crisis emanates from the action.”
He argued that these protest planners are also responsible for hijacking the 2020 #EndSARS protests, leading to widespread destruction, particularly in Lagos.
“Two years after ENDSARS, the IPOB and the gullible innocents joined the Labour Party in 2022 to support Peter Obi, a sympathizer of their cause,” Onanuga continued.
“They are the people spreading the hashtags ‘EndBadGovernance’, ‘Tinubu Must Go,’ and ‘Revolution2024’. They are not democrats but anarchists. They are attempting to call out our people via propaganda because their Messiah, Peter Obi, failed to win the Presidency in the 2023 election. As bad losers, they don’t have the patience to wait for another election in 2027; they would rather destabilize Nigeria by staging a civilian coup against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”
Onanuga further alleged that the protesters’ demands are treasonous, as they call for the end of an elected government.
He highlighted specific individuals allegedly involved in planning the protest, including anonymous social media users and prominent figures like Professor Pat Utomi, a Labour Party chief.
“The police and DSS ought to have arrested the man for making a brazen threat to political opponents,” Onanuga remarked.
He also accused other supporters, such as “General Oluchi” and Brother Bernard, of inciting unrest.
Onanuga urged security agencies to interrogate these “agents of destabilization” and called for Nigerian citizens to recognize the government’s efforts in addressing economic challenges.
“The Tinubu government has not been found wanting in this regard. The minimum wage has been increased by more than 100 percent. Loans are being disbursed to students in tertiary schools. A credit corporation has been launched to promote consumption credit. Palliatives, including the latest distribution of 740 trucks of rice to the 36 states and Abuja, are being rolled out,” he added.
As the date for the planned protests approaches, the government remains vigilant, emphasizing the need for patience and democratic processes rather than disruptive actions.
This ongoing political drama underscores the deep divisions and challenges within Nigeria’s political landscape, as citizens grapple with economic and social issues.
