Politics

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

Published

1 year 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

Obasa Appointed to CPA African Executive Committee

Published

15 hours ago

March 11, 2026

Sahara Weekly

Obasa Appointed to CPA African Executive Committee

The Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. (Dr.) Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa, has been appointed as a Sub-National Representative to the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) African Executive Committee.

The announcement was formally conveyed through a letter from the CPA Africa Region, which was read on the floor of the Assembly by the Clerk, Mr. Olalekan Onafeko, on Tuesday, March 10. The appointment confirms Speaker Obasa’s three-year tenure, spanning 2026 to 2029.

Lawmakers took turns to congratulate Speaker Obasa, praising his devotion to parliamentary service and his consistent efforts to strengthen legislative practice. They described his appointment as a recognition of his hard work and a reflection of Lagos State’s growing influence within the Commonwealth. Members noted that his achievements continue to bring pride not only to Lagos but to Nigeria as a whole.

In his remarks, Speaker Obasa expressed gratitude to his colleagues for their support, urging them to remain steadfast in prioritizing the progress of the Assembly and to continue working collectively to advance the legislature. He further directed the Clerk to send a formal letter of appreciation to the CPA African Region for the honour bestowed upon him. “Let us always put the House of Assembly first and never relent in our efforts to move the legislature forward, ” Obasa concluded.

The CPA African Region plays a pivotal role in advancing the interests of African parliaments within the Commonwealth. It is widely recognized for promoting gender equality, women’s empowerment, respect for human rights, democracy, and good governance across member nations.

Politics

TINUBU RENEWS TENURE OF THREE PERMANENT SECRETARIES

Published

5 days ago

March 7, 2026

Sahara Weekly

TINUBU RENEWS TENURE OF THREE PERMANENT SECRETARIES

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the renewal of tenure for three Permanent Secretaries in the Federal Civil Service, in line with existing public service regulations.

The approval was disclosed in a statement issued by the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, indicating that the renewed appointments will take effect from April 27, 2026.

The affected officials include Kachallom Shangti Daju, Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare; Beatrice Jedy‑Agba, Solicitor-General of the Federation and Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Justice; and Mary Ada Ogbe, Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Regional Development.

According to the statement, the renewal represents a second and final four-year tenure for the officials, in accordance with the provisions of Public Service Rule 020909, which allows Permanent Secretaries an initial four-year term with the possibility of a second term based on satisfactory performance.

The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Didi Esther Walson‑Jack, congratulated the Permanent Secretaries on their reappointment and urged them to see the renewed mandate as a call to greater dedication and excellence in service delivery.

She further encouraged them to deploy their experience and professional expertise toward strengthening governance and advancing national development.

The statement was signed by Eno Olotu, Director of Press and Public Relations in the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, and dated March 6, 2026.

Politics

Governor Dauda Lawal’s Prompt Action Against Insecurity in Zamfara State Yielding Positive Result’ – GDL Media Force Fires Back at Critics

Published

1 week ago

March 4, 2026

Sahara Weekly

‘Governor Dauda Lawal’s Prompt Action Against Insecurity in Zamfara State Yielding Positive Result’ – GDL Media Force Fires Back at Critics

The attention of GDL Media Force and other well-meaning supporters of the Dauda Lawal-led administration has been drawn to a recent statement syndicated on social media by influencers from a group calling itself the Zamfara Good Governance Forum, which ludicrously attempted to portray the Governor’s security efforts as a “total failure.” This characterisation is not only divorced from reality. Still, it represents a desperate attempt by political opponents to rewrite history and undermine a Governor whose growing influence and performance clearly terrify them. It should be on record that in the whole of the North West region, Governor Dauda Lawal has tackled insecurity head-on with verifiable evidence that even those in the opposition have commended him for his huge investment in equipment that will further give security and armed forces an edge over those fueling insecurity in the country.

Since his assumption as Governor of Zamfara State, Dr Lawal has vowed that as the Chief Security Officer of the state, as well as the chief rescuer, an unprecedented commitment to tackling the security challenges that have plagued Zamfara for over a decade is his top priority and he is engaging it with much gusto. Unlike previous administrations, that engaged in shadowy deals with non-state actors, this Governor has chosen the path of transparency, capacity building, and decisive action. He was one of the Governors who openly declared that His administration would not negotiate with bandit rather his administration with fight them to a standstill and ensure they are cleared out.

In a bid to address the issues of insecurity with a well-planned arrival plan, he procured heavy Security Assets that even the Federal Government commended, him for. The recently procured and unveiled 25 units of Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) and an 80-meter endurance surveillance drone capable of covering 50 kilometres and operating continuously for eight hours. This represents the single largest state-government investment in security hardware in the history of Zamfara State.

The Defence Minister, during the inauguration ceremony, praised what he described as a clear demonstration of the Governor’s commitment to protecting lives and property, making the striking projection that “if we continue like this in the second term, Zamfara will look like Dubai”. This is not praise from a partisan source it is professional acknowledgement from the highest level of Nigeria’s defence establishment that Governor Lawal is doing something right.

Beyond heavy military hardware, the Governor has operationalised the Community Protection Guards in accordance with the law, providing them with 60 brand-new, well-equipped Hilux operational vehicles and specialised motorcycles to ensure swift response and effective first-responder services in difficult terrains. This is complemented by the distribution of 150 Hilux vehicles to mainstream security agencies including the Nigeria Police, DSS, and NSCDC, plus 20 Toyota Buffalo vehicles (both armoured and soft-body).

Perhaps most significantly, Governor Lawal established the Zamfara State Security Trust Fund, which provides a predictable, structured framework for logistical support to security forces. This moves the state away from the era of fragmented, reactive responses to a professional, sustainable security architecture.

When recent attacks occurred including the unfortunate February 19 incident in Anka LGA, Governor Lawal did not go into hiding or issue condolence statements from his office in Gusau. He immediately convened and personally presided over an emergency security meeting with all heads of security agencies at the Government House in Gusau, tasking them to urgently review the current security framework and implement coordinated countermeasures.

The Governor charged security chiefs to maintain “heightened vigilance, strengthened intelligence, and immediate, coordinated countermeasures” to ensure that criminal elements do not gain further ground. He also commiserated with affected communities and assured them of his administration’s full support both logistical and institutional. This is not the behaviour of a detached leader. This is the conduct of a Governor who understands that his primary constitutional responsibility is the protection of lives and property.

The public needs to understand the pedigree of those behind these allegations. The so-called “Zamfara Good Governance Forum” has a well-documented history of partisan attacks against Governor Lawal. A simple review of their previous statements reveals a pattern they have consistently attacked the Governor while remaining conspicuously silent during the administrations that presided over the worst years of banditry in the state. Interestingly, these attacks often coincide with political manoeuvres by the immediate past governor, Bello Matawalle, now Minister of State for Defence. The Zamfara State Government has previously accused Matawalle of using federal security apparatus to intimidate opposition figures in the state. The current criticism fits a familiar pattern, when you cannot defeat a Governor politically or at the ballot box, you attempt to undermine him through sponsored propaganda spreading sheer falsehood to ensure the public turns their back on a performing Governor who is rebuilding the rot the Matawale-led administration caused.

These same critics who now demand a “security roadmap” conveniently ignore that Governor Lawal inherited a state that was virtually a failed entity where farmers could not access their lands, where markets were paralysed, and where government had lost all credibility through failed negotiations and ransom payments to bandits.

Critics also conveniently ignore a fundamental reality Governor Lawal is the only opposition governor in the entire North-West geopolitical zone. Since taking office in 2023, his administration has received no federal intervention funds beyond statutory allocations no special palliatives, and no enhanced security support that flows to states with ruling-party governors. Yet despite this political isolation, he has managed to fund security without resorting to new borrowing, while monthly servicing N1.2 billion in inherited debts from the Bello Matawalle-led administration. This is governance under siege fiscally constrained, politically isolated, yet still delivering.

Governor Dauda Lawal has never claimed that the battle against banditry is easy or that success will come overnight. What he has demonstrated is sincerity of purpose, strategic vision, and relentless commitment. From the Security Trust Fund to community protection guards, from armoured personnel carriers to surveillance drones, these are not the actions of a leader who has failed. The growing influence of Governor Lawal across the North-West clearly frightens those who benefited from the old order of insecurity. When banditry thrives, politicians who negotiate with criminals remain relevant. But when peace is restored through genuine security architecture, such elements become obsolete.

Zamfara State is on the path to lasting peace. The detractors may continue their campaign of falsehood, but the facts on the ground speak louder than their sponsored propaganda. Governor Dauda Lawal remains focused, undeterred, and absolutely committed to restoring full normalcy to every inch of Zamfara State. The people of Zamfara see the progress. The Federal Government acknowledges the investment. And history will remember who truly fought for the state’s liberation.

Signed: GDL Media Force Support Group
March 4, 2026
Abuja, Nigeria