Bayo Onanuga, President Bola Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, has said that recent critiques of the Tinubu administration, especially from Northern organizations, are based more on ethnic bias than on the truth.
Onanuga rejected the Arewa Consultative Forum’s (ACF) allegations of marginalization as politically driven fabrications meant to undermine a Southern president.
In the same way that Southerners waited patiently under previous President Muhammadu Buhari for eight years, Onanuga asked Northern political leaders to let Tinubu enjoy his term.
“Nigeria is home to this president. He is deserving of Buhari’s two terms. In an interview with Daily Trust, he stated, “Let’s not sacrifice the nation for personal ambition.”
The presidential adviser described the ACF’s stance as a covert attempt to weaken the Southern administration and accused some Northern elites of trying to sow divisiveness under the pretense of regional marginalization.
“Appointments Are Fair; Provide Us with the Information”
In response to allegations that federal appointments have been biased in favor of the South-West, Onanuga urged detractors to provide evidence to support their arguments.
“You must correct your statistics. “It’s all political scheming to discredit the President,” he declared.
He pointed out that Northerners currently hold important positions in the security architecture, such as both defense ministers, the chief of staff, and the national security adviser.
Complaints About Infrastructure Are National, Not Northern
Onanuga also reacted negatively to criticism of the North’s inadequate infrastructure, claiming that road degradation is a national problem.
He emphasized that the Tinubu administration inherited many unfinished or abandoned projects from past administrations, adding that “there are bad roads across the country, not just in the North.”
The presidential spokesperson highlighted enhanced safety along previously hazardous roads as part of improvements in national security.
“Igabi (in Kaduna) and Birnin Gwari are now safer places. It was once unimaginable to drive from Kaduna to Abuja without any problems, he claimed.
Onanuga called for Nigerians to put aside their ethnic prejudices and back the president’s initiatives to establish sound administration.
“Let’s prioritize Nigeria. Everyone should support the President’s efforts to address the nation’s infrastructure, economy, security, and issues,” he said.
