“Nigerians Forget Quickly,” Says Onanuga Amid Mounting Discontent
Date: June 1, 2025 | Byline: IDNN Statehouse & Political Desk
Amid mounting public frustration over economic hardship and governance challenges, the Presidency has responded with a blunt counterattack, accusing Nigerians of having short memory and misplaced anger.
Presidential Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, released a statement on Sunday dismissing criticism of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, claiming citizens have forgotten the rot inherited from the Buhari government.
“Nigerians forget too quickly. The country didn’t arrive at this mess in the last one year,” Onanuga declared.
“You Blame Tinubu, But Who Caused This?”
Onanuga pointed out that most of the current economic pains — including debt, inflation, and subsidy distortions — were a legacy of prior administrations, not solely the result of Tinubu’s policies.
“Those who created these problems are now the loudest critics,” he said, warning against what he called deliberate public amnesia.
His statement referenced the removal of petrol subsidies, the unification of exchange rates, and revenue recovery as “necessary sacrifices” that are already “correcting the system.”
Nigerians Clap Back: “Gaslighting from the Top”
The comments sparked immediate backlash online and offline:
-
Civil society groups accused the presidency of gaslighting and dodging responsibility.
-
Labour leaders said Onanuga’s remarks showed “contempt for the suffering masses.”
-
Political observers said this tactic could further alienate middle-class and youth voters ahead of 2027.
“When you’ve run the country for 9 years — Buhari and Tinubu combined — you don’t get to say it’s someone else’s fault,” tweeted human rights lawyer Festus Ogun.
Communication Crisis or Strategy?
While the Presidency insists its message is one of context and truth, critics believe it reveals a crisis of messaging, especially as inflation, insecurity, and unemployment dominate national headlines.
“This is a government under pressure, lashing out at its own citizens instead of solving real problems,” said policy analyst Dr. Zainab Bala.
📸 Graphic Caption: Presidency fires at critics over Tinubu’s reform backlash. “Nigerians forget too quickly,” says spokesman Bayo Onanuga.
