Presidency slams Peter Obi over defection to ADC

Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, has criticised former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi following his defection to the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

Onanuga described Obi as “a wandering politician” who has moved from APGA to PDP, then Labour Party, and now ADC, in pursuit of his presidential ambition. He said Obi’s bitterness over coming third in the 2023 election is still obvious.

“The books, the professors, the examples from other countries he keeps mentioning should be taken with a pinch of salt,” Onanuga said, referring to Obi’s speech at the ADC induction. “He failed as governor of Anambra State for eight years. How can he now claim he is ready to lead Nigeria?”

He also questioned Obi’s approach of copying foreign policies, saying, “What works in other countries does not automatically work in Nigeria. We need homegrown solutions, not copycats.”

Onanuga highlighted the achievements of the Tinubu administration since May 2023, including economic restructuring, reduction of petrol subsidies, diversification from oil, growth in gas development, increased foreign and local investment, and major road projects like the Lagos-Calabar and Sokoto-Badagry highways. He also noted upcoming tax reforms aimed at improving revenue and harmonising the tax system.

“The Tinubu administration has shown leadership and delivered real results in less than three years,” Onanuga said. “Obi cannot see this because he is focused on his own bitterness.”

He concluded by predicting Obi’s political future, saying, “By joining ADC, he is positioning himself as a second-choice candidate. Like in 2019, he is likely to end up as a running mate, not the main contender.”