Politics

Bayo Onanuga’s Garbage Not Good For Tinubu By:Olakunle Adelaja

Published

7 months ago

September 11, 2024

Bayo Onanuga’s Garbage Not Good For Tinubu

By:Olakunle Adelaja

Before he was appointed the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga had already proven he would be a liability to President Bola Tinubu’s administration. As one of the spokespersons of his presidential campaign, Onanuga was unhinged. He had no restrain, and lacked the speech finesse of an image maker that his assignment demanded.

Onanuga effectively alienated Nigerians who did not support Tinubu during the electioneering campaign with his pugnacious and hateful statements, many thought were unbefitting of a man in his position. And because of that, supporters of President Tinubu secretly wished he would not appoint Onanuga as his presidential spokesman.

This was why the appointment of Ajuri Ngelale as the special adviser to the president on media was welcomed by many Nigerians, including Tinubu supporters. Ngelale did not have the type of moral and political baggage that Onanuga carried on his head. He looks more sober and more circumspect than the combative Onanuga.

President Tinubu also appeared to have been aware of Onanuga’s shortcoming when he eventually gave him appointment as the special adviser on Information and strategy, which many believed was an afterthought. The statement announcing his appointment gave his job description “as part of efforts to prioritise effective and efficient working synergy between the Presidency and Federal Ministries.”

In essence, he was appointed a presidential liaison officer that should be shuttling between the presidency and MDAs, and away from the media. But Onanuga likes the limelight and he found a way to insert himself into the presidential media structure. He issues statements once in a while, much to the consternation of Ngelale who understandably loathed him. He deliberately set himself in competition with Ngelale and did everything to undermine the man who eventually had to quit last week.

After scheming Ngelale’s exit from the villa, Onanuga has now found the latitude to run riot again like a dog that broke from a leash. He is now breathing fresh air in the villa now that the man who held him in check had left.

On Tuesday he issued one of his incendiary statements that must have caused even ardent supporters of the administration to shake their heads in obvious discomfort. The statement, entitled “Nigeria, a country governed by law, categorically denies any human rights abuse,” was simply meant to correct any wrong impression the Trade Union Congress of the United Kingdom may have had about the Tinubu administration due to the arrest of NLC president, Joe Ajaero, by the DSS last Monday.

But in his characteristic manner, he went beyond his brief to attack the NLC and the TUC for opposing government policies. But he found no particular policy to mention except labour’s opposition to the sale of Nigeria’s refineries to Aliko Dangote in 2007!

Onanuga wrote: “Seventeen years after the labour movement forced the successor government of Umar Yar’ Adua to cancel the sale of the two refineries, none of the four government-owned refineries worked. In the obverse, Mr. Aliko Dangote, one of the promoters of Bluestar, has built the largest single-train refinery in the world. In a twist of fate, the same Labour Movement that fiercely opposed Dangote from taking over the two refineries in 2007 hailed him on completing his 650,000-bpd refinery in Lagos.”

What was the need to bring up the opposition to the sale of NNPC refineries to Dangote in a statement meant to set the records straight on Tinubu administration’s human rights record? Or was he trying to vindicate Dangote?

Well, everyone knows his paper, PM News, has supported Dangote in his battle with the NNPCL over supply of crude to his refinery and over pricing of his products, especially petrol. It’s even believed that he’s among the media owners on the payroll of Dangote in his battle with the Tinubu administration.

Tinubu is the minister of petroleum resources and it is surprising that a man who claims to work as information and strategy adviser to the president acts without any strategic thinking! Dangote has single-handedly embarrassed the Tinubu administration by spewing half-truths and obvious lies against Nigeria’s oil and gas sector operations to gain undue public empathy.

In July, when Dangote appeared before the House of Representatives Joint Committee on Petroleum Resources (downstream and midstream), he lied to make a case for the products of his refinery. It was his response to regulatory authorities who had questioned the quality of products coming from his refinery located at the Lekki Free Trade Zone.

He had said, “Some of the terminals, some of the NNPC people and some traders have opened blending plants somewhere off Malta. We all know these areas. We know what they are doing, “adding that the NNPCL had been importing substandard fuel.

Of course, the claim rattled the Tinubu administration since the president is also the petroleum minister, and the smooth operation of the sector rests squarely on his shoulders. He is also responsible for what the NNPCL does and doesn’t do.

But it was the Group Chief Executive Officer, Mele Kyari, who appeared to understand Dangote’s game, that broke the ice for the administration. Kyari challenged Dangote to publicly declare the names of NNPC personnel who operate a blending plant in Malta.

Kyari, in a post on X, asked Dangote “To clarify the allegations regarding blending plant, I do not own or operate any business directly or by proxy anywhere in the world with the exception of a local mini Agric venture. Neither am I aware of any employee of the NNPC, that owns or operates a blending plant in Malta or anywhere else in the world…”

Kyari also made it clear that a blending plant in Malta or any part of the world has no influence over NNPC’s business operations and strategic actions. He challenged Dangote to declare in public and report to relevant security agencies if he knew anyone in NNPCL who was involved in what he alleged.

Of course, Dangote never did any of that. He simply moved on from one blackmail to the other. But it was President Tinubu that was wounded more by Dangote’s false narratives, which suggested that the president had personal stakes in refineries outside the country because his nephew, Wale Tinubu, operates in the oil and gas industry. It was an angle to which the opposition latched on to further undermine the Tinubu administration.

This is the man that Onanuga has elevated in a presidential statement! How strategic was that?

On August 22, presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 election, Atiku Abubakar, latched on to Dangote’s lies to accuse Tinubu of integrating his business interests into Nigeria’s interests. A statement released by Atiku alleged that “Just as Alpha Beta, Primero, and others act as Tinubu’s proxies in Lagos, managing critical sectors and generating revenue for him and his family, he has begun to replicate this at the federal level.”

Attacking the NLC and the TUC for opposing privatisation of the refineries is also tactless, considering the role Tinubu played while in the opposition. Tinubu was one of the opposition leaders who kicked against privatising the refineries at the time. So, Onanuga was effectively condemning the role his principal played at the time which is what NLC and others are now doing.

This lack of strategic thinking had sunk Onanuga in his first public assignment as the Managing Director of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in 2016 under ex-president Muhammadu Buhari. But his appointment was not renewed in 2019 following dispute between him and staff of the organisation over his management style. No one heard anything about him again until 2023 when was appointed one of the spokespersons for Tinubu campaign.

But if anyone thought Onanuga would have become more cultivated and refined, that expectation has been dashed with the way he has carried on his assignment so far. There’s every reason to believe that Onanuga has become a burden that Tinubu is unwilling to shed because of past friendship. But the president would have to quickly make a decision on a suitable role for Onanuga in his administration.

It’s obvious he’s not cut for the current job that has been given to him. He is a poor researcher and had goofed several times in the past on data and facts. He regularly deleted his tweets after realising he made careless errors. Like when he claimed that Tinubu secured an $600 million investment commitment from Maersk, a global shipping firm during the World Economic Forum in Saudi Arabia in April. He later deleted the post after it generated controversy.

As a supporter of President Tinubu, I hope he doesn’t allow him to replace Ngelale as his spokesman. That would be a disaster. Onanuga should be tucked away from public view because he’s a public irritant. Tinubu needs people who can promote his administration, not those who would undermine it.

The president will not lose anything if Onanuga if fired today. Enough of his garbage.

Politics

Conference of Speakers Visits Obasa, Commends Leadership

Published

2 hours ago

April 3, 2025

Sahara Weekly

Conference of Speakers Visits Obasa, Commends Leadership

The Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria has commended the legislative acumen, political doggedness, and robust leadership of Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly.
Obasa, a six-term legislator representing Agege Constituency 1, has been Speaker since 2015.
During a recent visit to Obasa, Rt. Hon. Debo Ogundoyin, chairman, said the Conference of Speakers came to show solidarity and observe Iftar with their colleague and former chairman.
Ogundoyin, also the Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, commended Obasa’s ‘peerless maturity and exemplary leadership’, qualities he said have ensured that the Lagos State House of Assembly continues to live up to its reputation as the leading light and pathfinder of state legislatures in Nigeria.

One after the other, the visiting Speakers extolled Obasa’s leadership and applauded him for upholding the state assembly’s motto – beyond the common standards of excellence.’

Responding, Obasa thanked his Speaker-colleagues for the visit and urged them to continue to legislate for the good governance of their respective states because “Effective legislation plays an integral role in the overall socio-economic development of all states and the nation at large.”
Further, he said, “As legislators, we must prioritise and be responsive to the needs and interests of the people as exemplified by our activities in the Lagos State House of Assembly.

“I understand that every legislature operates under different rules and circumstances, but you can never get it wrong when the goal is legislative efficiency and effectiveness, which are two different things. My over two decades experience as a legislator has taught me that effectiveness is doing the right things, while efficiency is doing things right. So, for those wondering why Lagos is a primus inter pares among Nigerian states, it is because we combine effectiveness with efficiency.”

Established by the pioneer speakers of state Houses of Assembly in the wake of the return of democracy in 1999, the Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria is a bipartisan organisation committed to serving the nation and member-states irrespective of the party affiliation of members. Its primary aim is to promote inter-parliamentary solidarity and legislative best practices. Obasa served as chairman between 2018 and 2020.

Politics

Edo Tribunal Ruling: A Legal Verdict or a Political Manipulation?

Published

6 hours ago

April 3, 2025

Sahara Weekly

Edo Tribunal Ruling: A Legal Verdict or a Political Manipulation?

By George Omagbemi Sylvester

The recent verdict by the Edo State Governorship Elections Tribunal dismissing the PDP’s petition against the 2024 election outcome has once again raised critical questions about the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral process. While the tribunal cited the absence of competent witnesses and lack of substantial evidence, a deeper analysis of this ruling, coupled with the broader political climate under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, suggests a concerning pattern: the calculated erosion of Nigeria’s multi-party democracy.

Legal Grounds or Judicial Bias?
The Edo State Governorship Elections Tribunal ruled that the PDP’s petition failed primarily due to a lack of competent witnesses and insufficient evidence. While documents were provided, the tribunal deemed them inadmissible without credible testimony to authenticate them. Furthermore, the tribunal insisted that oral evidence was necessary to prove allegations of over-voting, referencing Supreme Court precedents. However, this ruling raises fundamental concerns. If documents submitted were indeed official election records, why were they disregarded solely due to the absence of certain witnesses?

The tribunal’s insistence on strict evidentiary standards while allegedly turning a blind eye to glaring irregularities raises suspicions of bias. By disqualifying the testimony of the PDP’s witnesses on technical grounds, the ruling effectively denied the petitioners a fair chance to prove their case.

Tinubu’s Blueprint for a One-Party State
Beyond the tribunal’s ruling, the broader actions of the APC-led federal government suggest a systematic effort to stifle opposition and consolidate power. Since assuming office, Tinubu’s administration has embarked on a relentless campaign to weaken opposition parties, coerce key political figures, and silence dissent.

Key examples include:

Governor Dave Umahi’s Political Turnaround: The former PDP governor of Ebonyi State defected to the APC, citing pressures that many believe were orchestrated by Tinubu’s allies to weaken the opposition in the Southeast.

EFCC’s Selective Prosecution: The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has targeted opposition figures, including PDP chieftains, while largely ignoring corruption allegations against APC loyalists. Former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, an APC stalwart, remains untouched despite numerous allegations.

Judicial Interference in Opposition-Led States: Several opposition-led states, including Rivers and Zamfara, have faced judicial interventions that appear politically motivated. The removal of PDP-aligned governors through questionable court rulings further fuels suspicions of a grand strategy to dismantle opposition strongholds.

Forcing and Silencing Top Officials
Under Tinubu’s administration, several top government officials have been forced to align with the APC or face political and economic consequences. Notable cases include:

Godwin Emefiele, the former CBN governor, was arrested and detained shortly after Tinubu assumed power. While official reasons cite economic mismanagement, many believe his removal was politically motivated, given his role in the controversial Naira redesign policy, which was seen as a challenge to Tinubu’s pre-election financial war chest.

Former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has been largely sidelined, despite his significant role in the Buhari administration. His reluctance to align fully with Tinubu has seen him politically isolated.

Peter Obi and Labour Party Persecution: The Labour Party (LP), which posed a significant threat to APC’s dominance in 2023, has faced relentless attacks. LP members have been harassed, and attempts have been made to delegitimize Obi’s growing influence.

The Death of Democratic Institutions?
Under a true democracy, political competition should be encouraged, not stifled. However, Tinubu’s administration has exhibited autocratic tendencies, from the questionable removal of political opponents to the strategic co-optation of opposition figures.

The Judiciary’s Role: The increasing frequency of court rulings favoring the APC raises concerns about judicial independence. The Edo Tribunal’s verdict fits into a broader trend of politically convenient judgments, which often seem to align with the ruling party’s interests.

The Media’s Struggle: Independent journalism has suffered due to growing restrictions on press freedom. Media outlets that criticize Tinubu’s government face the risk of intimidation and economic strangulation. Channels Television and Arise TV, for instance, have been warned over their critical reporting on government affairs.

A Nation at a Crossroads:
Furthermore, Nigeria stands at a critical juncture. The Edo Tribunal’s ruling is not just about an election petition; it is a symptom of a larger problem—the gradual erosion of democracy under Tinubu’s watch. If this trend continues, Nigeria risks sliding into a de facto one-party state where dissent is crushed, and political opposition is merely symbolic.

For democracy to thrive, there must be a robust opposition, an independent judiciary, and a free press. The systematic silencing of opposition voices, as seen in Edo State and beyond, should alarm all Nigerians who believe in democratic governance. The question remains: Will Nigerians allow this autocratic overreach to continue, or will they rise to defend the essence of democracy before it is too late?

Politics

Oshodi-Isolo Chairman Otunba Oloyede Almaroof Strategize with Seyi Tinubu on Youths Engagement

Published

2 days ago

April 1, 2025

Sahara Weekly

Oshodi-Isolo Chairman Otunba Oloyede Almaroof Strategize with Seyi Tinubu on Youths Engagement

In order for governance to reach the people president Bola Ahmed Tinubu had seek clarification from the Supreme Court to get financial autonomy for the Local government and It is not a secret that it is the tier of Government closest to the people. So while others are resting and merrying for the just concluded Ramadan, the Chairman of Oshodi-Isolo Local government Otunba Kehinde Adeola Oloyede Almaroof is engaged in a strategic meeting with Ambassador Seyi Tinubu, a known champion of youthful inclusivity, on how to positively impact the youths of his local government and Lagos State as a whole.

Seyi Tinubu, who is currently in Lagos for the festive break is known for his readiness to create chance to attend any meetings, functions or any discuss on how to better the lives of Nigerian youths and it is not strange that he’s discussing such with Otunba Oloyede the youthful oriented local government Chairman of Oshodi-Isolo Local government, who is also a usual go to.

Incidentally, while the meeting is going on, some of the detractors of wonder performing Chairman are busy peddling lies about the relationship between Otunba Kehinde Oloyede and Seyi Tinubu.

The meeting that lasted for several hours took place at a time many of the fake news merchants are preparing to embark on drinking spree at one night club or the other for the end of Ramadan celebrations.

Kendu as the Chairman is fondly called is in position to return for another term to serve the good people of Oshodi-Isolo and his overwhelming popularity amongst the populace has made him a target for smear campaigns by those whose chance, his achievements seems to have dimed.