Presidential aide Bayo Onanuga has cautioned former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi, against making what he described as exaggerated claims, following Obi’s assertion that democracy in Nigeria has collapsed.
Obi made the remarks on Monday at the 60th birthday colloquium of former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha, in Abuja. Reflecting on Nigeria’s democratic journey since 1999, the former governor argued that past progress had been reversed.
“If you look at where we are today, it’s like they (the PDP) started in 1999 and laid the foundation. Some people came and took it to decking, and some were trying to take it to the first floor when others came and knocked everything down. That is the situation we are in now—everything has been knocked down, and nothing works,” Obi stated.
He further cited his own experience as an example of a previously functional judiciary, noting that he became governor through the courts during the Obasanjo-Atiku administration without any financial inducement. “I did not pay the court one naira. I was sitting in my office when the court declared me winner, when a governor was not even seeing them. This cannot happen in Nigeria today,” he said.
Reacting to the comments, Onanuga, the Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, dismissed Obi’s assertions as unfounded. In a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday, he argued that Nigeria’s democracy has only strengthened over the past 26 years.
“I listened multiple times to former Governor Peter Obi’s statement in this clip, where he claims that democracy has collapsed in Nigeria. His hyperbolic remarks, suited for headlines, have been made without deep reflection and lack a solid logical foundation,” Onanuga wrote.
He further contended that Obi’s ability to voice such opinions publicly was itself proof that democracy remains intact. “Only a discontented and disgruntled Peter, who benefits from the very free speech democracy provides, could perceive such a democratic downfall through his lens. If democracy had indeed collapsed, as Peter claims, and we were living under a regime antithetical to democratic principles, he would not have been able to make his comments on Monday,” he added.
Onanuga advised Obi to exercise caution in his statements, warning against remarks that could mislead the public. “I urge him to watch what he says and restrain himself from playing to the gallery,” he said.
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