A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Bode George, has said that Bayo Onanuga, President Bola Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, will face consequences for disrespecting former president, Olusegun Obasanjo. Vanguard reports.
Recall that Obasanjo, while delivering a keynote address at the Chinua Achebe Leadership Forum held at Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA, issued a scathing critique of Nigeria’s current state under President Bola Tinubu, labelling the country’s status as a “failing state” marked by pervasive corruption and leadership failure.
In response to Obasanjo’s comments, Onanuga stated that the former president was not an ideal Nigerian leader, adding that he oversaw the most fraudulent election in Nigeria’s history.
Onanuga pointed out that former President Obasanjo had consistently blamed those who served after his tenure for the nation’s numerous challenges, despite his many flaws.
He said in part, “The current economic crisis the All Progressives Congress administrations have been battling since 2015 is the product of the poor choices in economic management made by Obasanjo and the two successors from his party.
“It is hypocrisy writ large when a man who presided over the worst election in Nigeria demands the sack of the leadership of the Independent National Electoral Commission.
“The only positive of the Obasanjo era was fiscal and monetary policy management buoyed by a consistent rise in crude oil prices throughout his eight-year tenure.
“This rise in crude oil prices started in 2000 and peaked in 2013 when it reached over 100 dollars per barrel before a decline in 2014, which set the oil-dependent economy downward.”
In an interview on Nigeria Info FM, George emphasised that Onanuga would face consequences for insulting an elder, noting that such behaviour is forbidden in Yoruba culture.
“An old man who could be Bayo Onanuga’s father said something, and you took him on by blasting him right, left, and centre.
“That is his style because he did it to me before; he didn’t meet me in Ijebu Ode Grammar School.
“You can see how small he is when comparing himself to us; people give their opinion, and you insult them.
“Even if you want to react, the Yoruba culture does not allow that insult from him.
“Someday he would pay back because there would be a day after, and that’s more important.
“He should be vigilant as he walks because it’s possible for him.”