Onanuga to Obi: Nigeria’s democracy not collapsing — you’re simply disgruntled

Bayo Onanuga, special adviser on information and strategy to President Bola Tinubu, has berated Peter Obi over his remarks on Nigeria’s democracy.

On Monday, Obi said Nigeria’s fourth republic, which commenced in 1999, is now being “knocked down” by the current administration.

The former presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) was reacting to the political crisis in Rivers and the president’s intervention through a state of emergency.

The ex-governor also touched on his impeachment in 2006 by the Anambra house of assembly under former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

He added that despite being impeached, he was reinstated through the courts without interference.

‘HYPERBOLIC REMARKS’

Reacting in a post on his X page, Onanuga said Obi would not be making such comments if democracy had truly derailed in the country.

The presidential spokesperson asked Obi to watch his utterances and desist from playing to the gallery.

“I listened multiple times to former Governor Peter Obi’s statement in this clip, where he claims that democracy has collapsed in Nigeria,” Onanuga wrote.

“His hyperbolic remarks, suited for headlines, have been made without deep reflection and lack a solid logical foundation.

“How can a democracy that has strengthened over the past 26 years 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.

“If democracy had indeed collapsed, as Peter claims, and we were living under a regime antithetical to democratic principles, 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.”

BACKGROUND

On March 18, Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers, citing the protracted political crisis and vandalisation of oil facilities.

The president suspended Fubara, Ngozi Odu, his deputy, and all house of assembly members for six months.

Tinubu also appointed Ibok-Ete Ibas, a retired vice-admiral, as the sole administrator for Rivers state.

On March 20, the senate and the house of representatives controversially ratified Tinubu’s request for the emergency rule.

Several stakeholders, including the south-south governors’ forum, have condemned the emergency rule.

On May 18, 2004, Obasanjo declared a state of emergency in Plateau state following violent ethnic and religious clashes.

He suspended Joshua Dariye, the governor, and the state legislature, appointing a retired general, Chris Alli, as the state’s sole administrator.