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By Madu Obi
AN elder statesman,and a former governorship aspirant in Anambra State, Dr. Chike Obidigbo has called on President Bola Tinubu, to restrain his aide, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, from making intemperate public statements that could destroy Nigeria.
Obidigbo was reacting to Onanuga's allegation that the Labour Party, LP, presidential candidate in last year's election, Mr. Peter Obi and his supporters were the ones planning a nationwide 10- day hardship protest from August 1, 2024.
In a statement, Obidigbo said: "I regret that the Special Assistant to the President on Media and Strategy has been making inciting remarks and provocative hate speeches that could not only damage Nigeria’s feeble national cohesion, but also set the nation on a needless conflagration.
I totally and unequivocally condemn Onanuga’s recent statement claiming that the 2023 Presidential candidate of Labour Party (LP), Mr. Peter Obi and his supporters he called the Obidients, should be blamed for the planned national protest against bad governance.
Why is Onanuga so desperately averse to social criticisms which every responsible leader courts to help him shape policies and actions in line with the wishes of the people.
It is highly regrettable that despite Onanuga's several years of media practice and knowledge of Nigeria’s troubled political history, the presidential aide continues to spew forth hate and divisive utterances.
Many of us, the elderly, still remember Onanuga’s role during the military era, when the Nigeria press adopted the guerilla tactics to call attention to the oppressive regimes in the country. But, having witnessed and currently benefitting from the nation’s democracy, this veteran journalist has thrown caution to the wind.
Onanuga has formed the habit of talking down on Nigerians as if he is at the head of a military junta. When he is not withdrawing ill-conceived communication, he churns out statements dripping with deep-seated bile and hateful innuendos.
His latest attempt to link the former Governor of Anambra State with the youth-propelled national protest comes as one of the unthinking statements unbefitting a presidential aide. Onanuga should be reminded that when the dark clouds he is invoking brings down rain, nobody’s roof would be safe.
I regret that at this time when countless multinational business organisations are leaving the country due to ill conceived and unstable economic indices, the likes of Onanuga should find time to gloat about the last presidential election.
Onanuga and indeed all those in public offices should reckon that Nigeria is at a tricky cross roads and show some level of maturity and empathy to Nigerian masses who are going through excruciating hardships compounded by most terrifying insecurity,joblessness, rising food prices and cost of living challenges."
According to Obidigbo, Onanuga knows in his heart of hearts, that Mr. Peter Obi has been exemplary in conduct and character and has remained focused on the issues of economic development, especially mitigating mass poverty, and giving some helping hand to the poorest of the poor,at every opportunity he gets.
He said that the attempt to single out Igbo for hate by dangerous innuendo is not lost on well meaning Nigerians, recalling that it was not the first time the veteran journalist should descend so low to promote bigotry and ethnic baiting against the Igbo.
"It is high time President Tinubu called him to order, unless Igbo bashing is at the core of the presidential communication.
The myriad of socio-economic challenges confronting Nigeria trumps the continuing efforts to isolate Igbo through nepotism and ethnic bashing. Let it be clear to everyone that the day equity and justice become the hallmark of national reconciliation, Nigeria will begin the process of national healing.
Denying Igbo of political offices could still be tolerated, but trying to despoil their reputation and dependence on self help could end up as the last straw that will break the Carmel’s back", the elder statesman said.
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