Mr. Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, has accused supporters of Mr. Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s candidate in the 2023 presidential election, of orchestrating nationwide protests. Onanuga warned that Obi would be held responsible for any resulting crises.
In a detailed post on his official X account, Onanuga linked the planned protests to previous events, notably the ENDSARS protests of October 2020, which he claimed were hijacked by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
“ENDSARS began as a genuine protest by youths against the Police Special Anti-Robbery Squad, notorious for its high-handedness. IPOB members planning to extricate the South-East region from Nigeria infiltrated the protest and hijacked it for their own agenda. Lagos still bears the scar of the malicious destruction until today,” Onanuga wrote.
He asserted that the same individuals behind ENDSARS have now rallied behind the Labour Party and Obi, spreading hashtags like ‘EndBadGovernance,’ ‘Tinubu Must Go,’ and ‘Revolution2024.’ Onanuga described these protesters as anarchists, accusing them of attempting a civilian coup due to their dissatisfaction with the 2023 election results.
Allegations of Conspiracy and Treason
Onanuga accused the protest organizers of high treason, stating, “Wanting to end an elected government is high treason; wanting revolution is a call for a coup d’etat, which is also high treason.”
He cited the activities of a user operating an internet radio station, PTM100.88 Abuja, and accused several notable figures, including FS Yusuf, Prof. Pat Utomi, and a pseudonymous user named “Peter Obi’s First Son,” of supporting the protests. Onanuga highlighted a video showing a teenager printing T-shirts with the slogan “EndBadGovernance in Nigeria 2024” as evidence of the ongoing mobilization.
Calls for Government Action
Onanuga urged the police and the Department of State Services (DSS) to arrest individuals making threats against political opponents, highlighting posts from figures like Babatunde Gbadamosi and “General Oluchi,” who have been advocating for the protests.
He emphasized the potential danger of these protests, urging Nigerian citizens to consider the government’s efforts to address the economic challenges before joining any demonstrations. Onanuga pointed out various government initiatives, including increased minimum wage, student loans, and agricultural investments, aimed at improving the country’s economic situation.
Labour Party’s Response
In response, the Labour Party, through its National Publicity Secretary Obiora Ifoh, denied any involvement in the planned protests.
“The attention of the leadership of the LP has been drawn to a tweet from one of the presidential aides, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, linking it and its national leader Peter Obi, and very many notable figures in the LP, to the proposed protest. We say that there is no truth in that,” Ifoh stated.
The Labour Party reiterated its commitment to peace, emphasizing that it has consistently advocated for non-violent actions. “Labour Party, Peter Obi, and our supporters are not planning any protests,” Ifoh affirmed.
The unfolding situation continues to generate tension, as both sides remain steadfast in their positions regarding the legitimacy and motives behind the proposed nationwide protests.
