Victor EzejaSpecial Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, has reacted to Peter Obi’s comment about Nigeria’s democracy, saying he is playing to the gallery and should stop.
Onanuga warned Obi to be mindful of his comments about governance in the country.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelThis came after Obi, a former governor of Anambra State, said democracy in Nigeria had collapsed.
Obi spoke at an event to mark the 60th birthday of former Governor of Imo State and ex-Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha, on Monday.
The presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general election said the democratic system in the country, built over the last two decades since the return to civilian rule in 1999, has been crushed. He attributed it to abuse of power cutting across the executive, legislative, and judicial arms of government.
Reflecting on how he emerged as governor through court battles, Obi said he didn’t pay the court to win his stolen mandate, but such can’t happen in the country today.
“I did not pay the court one naira. I was sitting in my office and the court declared me the winner, when a governor was not seeing them. This cannot happen in Nigeria today,” Obi stated.
READ ALSO: I Didn’t Pay The Court To Win My Mandate – Obi
Reacting, Onanuga, in a post on his X handle, described Obi’s comment as “hyperbolic remarks, suited for headlines,” adding that they it was made without “deep reflection and lack a solid logical foundation.”
He countered Obi, saying that Nigeria’s democracy has strengthened over the past 26 years and can’t be said to have collapsed.
“Only a discontented and disgruntled Peter, who benefits from the very free speech democracy provides, could perceive such a democratic downfall through his lens,” Onanuga stated.
The presidential aide argued that if Nigeria’s democracy has failed as Obi asserted, “he would not have been able to make his comments on Monday at Emeka Ihedioha’s colloquium.”
“I will urge him to watch what he says and restrain himself from playing to the gallery,” Onanuga added.
READ ALSO: Obi Blasts National Assembly Members For Approving Emergency Rule In Rivers With Voice Votes
Also, another presidential aid, Daniel Bwala made a scathing remark about Obi’s comment at the colloquium.
In a post on his X handle on Tuesday, Bwala called Obi a “failed politician,” claiming that he does not know the meaning of democracy.
“It is funny how failed politicians are trying to redefine democracy. @PeterObi said democracy has collapsed.
“Does he even know the meaning of democracy.
“When people were fighting for democracy, Gregory was buying and selling.
“He doesn’t have a history of any democratic activism from his school days to date.
“His expertise lies in instigating hate speech and vitriol,” Bwala stated via his X handle.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with seven years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Master's degree in Mass Communication.
