Presidency Goes on the Offensive
Nigeria’s political atmosphere heated up further on Wednesday after the Presidency issued a sharp rebuttal to recent comments by Peter Obi, following his defection from the Labour Party to the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
In a statement, Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Media and Publicity, accused Peter Obi of harbouring deep resentment over the outcome of the 2023 presidential election and misrepresenting his capacity to govern.
“At his event, Obi’s bitterness was evident,” Onanuga said, arguing that the former candidate’s posture revealed an inability to accept political defeat.
‘Abysmal Failure’ Claim
Onanuga’s most striking remark centred on Obi’s record as governor of Anambra State, which he described as deeply unimpressive.
“This posturing should be taken with a pinch of salt, coming from a politician who was an abysmal failure in a small state like Anambra, which he governed for eight years,” the presidential aide stated.
He questioned Obi’s leadership credentials, suggesting that success in private enterprise did not automatically translate into effective national governance.
The language marked one of the most direct and personal criticisms of Obi by an official voice from Aso Rock since the 2023 elections.
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Foreign Models, Local Reality
Onanuga also criticised Obi’s frequent references to international development models, warning against what he described as intellectual copy-paste governance.
According to him, no country advances by merely importing ideas without adapting them to local realities.
“Nations are not identical. What worked in Indonesia or the United States may not necessarily work in Nigeria,” he said, stressing the need for homegrown solutions rather than borrowed frameworks.
Tinubu Administration’s Counter-Narrative
In contrast, Onanuga defended the policy direction of President Bola Tinubu, highlighting economic and structural reforms implemented since May 2023.
He cited the removal of petrol subsidies, diversification away from oil dependency, renewed investment in gas infrastructure, tax reforms and major road projects such as the Lagos–Calabar and Sokoto–Badagry superhighways.
According to the presidency, these reforms demonstrate decisive leadership rather than rhetoric.
2027 Subtext Emerges
Beyond policy disagreements, the statement carried unmistakable political undertones ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Onanuga suggested that Obi’s move to the ADC may ultimately position him as a secondary figure within a broader opposition alliance, rather than as its principal contender.
“Obi will play second fiddle and end up being Atiku’s running mate in 2027, like we witnessed in 2019,” he said.
The remark reinforced growing speculation about opposition realignments—and sharpened the contrast between Obi’s supporters and the ruling APC’s messaging.
Why This Matters
The exchange underscores a clear shift in tone from the Presidency: from strategic silence to direct confrontation.
As opposition figures attempt to regroup after 2023, Aso Rock appears determined to define the narrative early—questioning not just the opposition’s plans, but their credibility.
With 2027 still two years away, the battle lines are already forming
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