A media aide to President Bola Tinubu, Bayo Onanuga, has launched a scathing attack on the camp of former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, dismissing allegations against the President as “sheer baloney” and politically motivated.
In a strongly worded statement on Monday, Onanuga said he was responding to “Obi’s media people,” accusing opposition figures of unfairly turning President Tinubu into their “favourite whipping boy.”
The presidential aide insisted that Tinubu had no involvement whatsoever in the internal crises rocking opposition parties, particularly the Labour Party Nigeria and the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
He accused Obi of abandoning the Labour Party after contesting the 2023 presidential election under its platform, describing the move as a “classic case of use-and-dump.” According to him, Obi failed to provide leadership in resolving the party’s internal disputes.
Onanuga further criticised Obi’s political strategy, claiming the former Anambra governor leaned heavily on his support base—popularly known as the “Obidient movement”—without transforming it into a viable political structure.
He also alleged that Obi’s move to align with the ADC was driven by political convenience, describing the party as one facing internal turmoil. He controversially claimed that the ADC had been “hijacked” and linked its crisis to political dealings involving Atiku Abubakar and former party figures.
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“What is the connection of Tinubu with the ADC crisis? Absolutely none,” Onanuga said, stressing that the challenges within the party were “self-inflicted.”
The presidential spokesman urged Obi and his associates to focus on resolving internal disputes within their political fold rather than blaming the President, adding that the former candidate must first secure a viable platform before contemplating a 2027 presidential bid.
“As of now, Obi, without being made a candidate, is inconsequential for 2027,” he stated, noting that finishing third in the 2023 election does not guarantee future electoral success.
Onanuga concluded by defending President Tinubu’s record in office, asserting that the administration has “many achievements to flaunt,” while accusing critics of deliberately ignoring them.
The remarks signal a deepening war of words between the Presidency and opposition figures, as early political alignments and narratives begin to shape ahead of the 2027 general elections.