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Obi’s supporters, IPOB behind planned protest, Onanuga says
Mr Bayo Onanuga, a presidential aide, has accused supporters of Mr Peter Obi, Labour Party’s candidate in the 2023 presidential election, of planning protests across the country.
Onanuga, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, who was emphatic that Obi’s supporters were planning to stage nationwide protests, said that Obi would be held responsible for whatever crisis that emanated from the action.
“The protest planners are also the same people who were instigated by IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu to launch the destructive ENDSARS protest in Nigeria in October 2020,” Onanuga wrote on his official X account.
“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 said that two years after ENDSARS, IPOB and the gullible innocents joined the Labour Party in 2022 to support Obi, who he said was a sympathiser of their cause.
“They are the people spreading the hashtags ‘EndBadGovernance,’ ‘Tinubu Must Go,’ and ‘Revolution2024.’ They are not democrats but anarchists.
“They are attempting to call out our people via propaganda because their Messiah, Peter Obi, failed to win the Presidency in the 2023 election.
“As bad losers, they don’t have the patience to wait for another election in 2027; they would rather destabilise Nigeria by staging a civilian coup against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” he said.
According to him, if they understood the meaning of their hashtags, they will realise they are clarion calls for treason; wanting to end an elected government is high treason, wanting revolution is a call for a coup d’etat, which is also high treason.
“I have been on the trail of one of the protest planners, who is nameless but claims to have an internet radio station, PTM100.88 Abuja.
“The anonymous person joined X in August 2022 and has 520 followers today, among whom are FS Yusuf, another rabid Obi supporter, and Prof. Pat Utomi, a Labour Party chief, and a guy on X who goes by the pseudonym Peter Obi’s First Son.
“PTM’s profile image has someone holding the inscription ‘Certificate Forger Not My President,’ with a photo of Peter Obi as an inset. Only Obi’s supporters will be talking about certificate forgery long after the Supreme Court dismissed the allegation,” Onanuga wrote.
He said that in the past 24 hours, this X user had been whipping up the gullible to join the protest being planned and also posting the activities of Obi.
In one of the posts, he said a video showed a teenager, who was said to be in the North, printing T-shirts emblazoned with “EndBadGovernance in Nigeria 2024.”
There is also a retweeted post by Babatunde Gbadamosi, who he described as a failed and frustrated politician in Lagos. In it, he refers to his earlier post urging people “to identify APC members, sponsors, supporters, enablers, thugs, promoters, and appointees.”
Onanuga said the police and DSS ought to have arrested the man for making a brazen threat to political opponents.
He said there was also “General Oluchi,” a woman by the screen name “A Field Marshall of the Han Dynasty.”
“She has been sending out letters of mobilisation. She even pinned a ‘Week 6’ letter urging Nigerians to wake up and take control of their country, using the language of IPOB, Peter Obi, and his supporters.
“Another member of the malcontents is Brother Bernard, also known as Mikael C. Bernard. He is not based in Nigeria because he was once busted over Binance and fraudulent crypto businesses in Nigeria.
“Bernard was the man who once wrote that the naira should go down to zero,” said Onanuga.
In a reaction to Oluchi, Bernard said the protesters should remove the increase in salaries for the armed forces as part of their demands.
“If they want an increment in salary, let them launch their own protest. It is not our job to fight for enablers of evil,” Bernard wrote on X, according to Onanuga.
However, an X user reminded Bernard that according to Nigerian law, men of the armed forces don’t protest.
“Security agents should, by now, begin to interrogate these agents of destabilisation.
“There is no country in the world where people are not going through some economic challenges and where the cost of living is not a major issue.
“No country is immune from economic turbulence at the moment. Civilised and democratic people wait for another election to make leadership changes. They don’t trigger mayhem in their countries by staging protests, the end of which nobody can predict,” said Onanuga.
He added that Nigerian citizens must consider the government’s attitude and concern about the cost of living crisis when deciding whether to join the protests.
“The Tinubu government has not been found wanting in this regard. The minimum wage has been increased by more than 100 percent. Loans are being disbursed to students in tertiary schools.
“A credit corporation has been launched to promote consumption credit. Palliatives, including the latest distribution of 740 trucks of rice to the 36 states and Abuja, are being rolled out.
“Businesses, such as pharmaceuticals, are being assisted. The Federal and state governments are investing heavily in agriculture to produce more food,” he stated.
According to him, the economy is improving, inflation is slowing, the national debt has been reduced in dollar terms, and the FIRS has increased revenue generation to record levels.
“Investors are coming back to our country. Our stock market is the best in the world, with a 33 per cent return on investment.
“President Tinubu has a four-year mandate to run his agenda. Those calling for protest should wait till 2027 to either re-elect him or elect their Messiah, Mr Peter Obi,” said Onanuga
However, the Labour Party, in a statement by Obiora Ifoh, its National Publicity Secretary, has said that the party is known for being peaceful and has, on several occasions, asked its followers to follow peace at all times.
“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.
“Labour Party is known for being a very peaceful party and it has, at several occasions, asked its followers to follow peace at all times.
“We are not known as a lawless group, as was evident in the aftermath of the last general election.
“It is, therefore, wrong for anyone to link our supporters to the planned protest. Labour Party, Peter Obi and our supporters are not planning any protests,” Ifoh said. (NAN)
Mele Kyari, the former Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL), has stated that he conducted his service with a deep sense of reverence for God.
Following a significant reshuffle within the oil corporation, various reports have emerged concerning Kyari’s tenure.
One such report revealed that N80 billion was discovered in the account of a recently dismissed Managing Director of one of the refineries who was under Kyari’s leadership.
Bayo Ojulari, Kyari’s successor, has initiated a major restructuring that has resulted in the departure of numerous individuals who served alongside him.
Additionally, there have been allegations of corruption during Kyari’s administration.
In response to rumors suggesting that he was in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Kyari indicated that he had received numerous calls from concerned friends and family regarding the unfounded claims.
He reaffirmed his commitment to serving Nigeria with integrity and expressed his readiness to account for his actions.
“In recent days, particularly in the last couple of hours, I have been overwhelmed with calls from worried family and friends regarding an online newspaper’s assertion that I am in EFCC custody,” Kyari stated.
“This is a blatant act of mischief and a deliberate attempt by the publication and its backers to achieve an undisclosed aim.
“Currently, I am enjoying a well-deserved break following the dissolution of the NNPCL management and board, where I held the position of Group Chief Executive.
“It is important to note that after dedicating 34 years to NNPC and subsequently NNPCL—17 of which were in management positions, including the last five years and nine months—I rarely had time for even a two-week vacation.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to serve under the leadership of Their Excellencies, Presidents Muhammadu Buhari and Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“I must stress that I served with the fear of God, fully aware that, as a Muslim, I will eventually account for my actions before Allah, should I fail to do so before man. Thus, I welcome the chance to explain my stewardship in this world.”
Kyari cautioned that misleading narratives about his tenure could negatively impact investor confidence and the perception of the international community.
“In this context, I urge the media to exercise caution and refrain from being rushed into disseminating unverified information or issues that require further investigation by the appropriate authorities.”
“I sincerely appreciate my family and friends who have reached out to me or attempted to do so, and I assure them that I am open to addressing all legitimate inquiries,” he concluded.
By Abubakar Yunusa
The Coordinator of the Conference of Patriotic Nigerians (COPAN), Barrister Uchenna Odieli, has issued a stern warning to the factional President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Comrade Atiku Abubakar Isah, urging him not to allow politicians to manipulate him into targeting Seyi Tinubu, the son of President Bola Tinubu.
In a statement sent to Elanza News on Friday night, Odieli, who described himself as a stakeholder in NANS, accused certain individuals of exploiting Isah to tarnish Seyi Tinubu’s reputation for political gain.
“If you contest an election and lose, you should go and rest. You must not be a NANS president,” Odieli said, questioning why Isah was allowing himself to be used to attack “an innocent man” simply because he is the president’s son.
Odieli defended Seyi Tinubu, describing him as a humble, well-mannered lawyer who has been unfairly vilified.
“I know Barr. Seyi Tinubu very well, not through tabloids or whispers, but through shared moments, quiet gestures, and the kind of humanity that doesn’t make the news,” he said.
“He is not perfect; none of us is. He is not a violent man, nor the monster being painted by those too eager to condemn.”
The COPAN coordinator expressed concern over what he described as a pattern of targeting Seyi Tinubu to gain public attention.
“What baffles me is that most of these charlatans do not know Seyi in person. They only see him from afar and have not had the opportunity to meet him one-on-one, but I know their game. Once one wants to be popular, the only gateway is to attack Seyi Tinubu,” Odieli stated.
He called for restraint and urged the public to avoid “mob justice” in judging Seyi Tinubu.
“Justice must be blind, yes, but not deaf to truth or mercy. Let the facts come forth, let the law take its course, but let us not forget that the son of the president is still a son, a brother, and a human being,” Odieli said, appealing for a fair and measured approach.
Odieli further praised Seyi Tinubu’s character, describing him as a “soft-spoken gentleman” trained in the Western world, who strives to maintain dignity despite the pressures of his family name.
“Seyi is a very kind man, well-behaved, well-trained. Violence is not his way, so you should stop pouring your frustration on Seyi,” he added.
It has been a full week of listening to Politricktians struggling to defend the indefensible. I have watched some struggle to present purely self-seeking and egocentric predilections and decisions as altruistic and popular. The usual lie told when politicians decamp from one Party to another was rife in the news-wave. It was repeated every so often they were confronted with ‘why did you decamp to a Party you had mocked and described as soulless and directionless?”. And the lies would come streaming with shameless Olympic stupidity and shenanigans unbridled.
If your reason for moving from the PDP to the APC is to connect Delta State to the Centre ditto to Abuja, who Abuja elp? How has the Partisan affinity or connection with Abuja helped Lagos State? How has it benefitted Benue State? How has it made life better for the people in Bornu State? And how has the lot of the people in Imo State improved? The States here in reference are APC States, and are badly messed up.
Since 1999 Lagos State has never had it so bad, Lagos State for instance fared better when it wasn’t in partisan sync with the centre. No sane person can compare Tinubu’s term as Governor of Lagos State with Sanwo-Olu’s, none can compare Fashola’s, or Ambode’s one term, albeit as opposition Governors with the most lethargic and uneventful watch that Lagos State has produced in the last 26 years Sanwo-Olu’s connect with Abuja notwithstanding. Lagos is presently experiencing it’s worst leadership deficit and lethargy in 26 years, but Sanwo-Olu is not the trust of this piece, so I will let him be, but I shall return to substantiate my position, if his spin-doctors provoke me.
To the States of Bornu, Benue and Imo, the vouched partisan affinity with Abuja is a curse more than a blessing. Bornu and Benue are theatres of unmitigated security challenges. I won’t mention Jos, Plateau so Partisans wouldn’t challenge me that Plateau State is PDP. However, in today’s Nigeria most of the States troubled silly with insecurity are APC States. Human barbecues are dished with reckless abandon by the Haramists and Herders, and Abuja has done little to help, it has been more words and little action. All the people see, read and know is the blood soaked and blood stained mandate of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his Party. The APC has failed them like it has failed most Nigerians, so the people who decamped from the PDP to the APC in Delta State should stop telling stupid lies of how a contrived partisan sync with Abuja will benefit Delta State, that na big lie. The truth is that that decision of theirs is absolutely self-seeking, egotistic and individualistic, it was a shenanigans shameless and utterly soulless.
Is Imo an example of a State benefitting from her partisan sync with Abuja? I beg make I laugh small. And to make matters worse they call Governor Hope Uzodinma the Chairman of the Unprogressive, oh sorry, Progressive Governor’s Forum. That means that Hope Uzodinma is the Chairman of the Forum of APC Governors. I beg ask Ndi’Imo how market? Now Governor Sheriff Oborevwori is an APC Governor, and I hear that Pastor Eno of Akwa Ibom is joining soon. If no be craze, how will a Governor wey dey try small go go join Party wey the Governor wey no dey try at all, go be im Chairman? What in today’s Nigeria is testament to the laudable rule of the APC? And why is the APC attractive to the defectors streaming into the Party? I am committed to telling all I know, and more in the sequel to this piece, yes Part 3 dey come.
I am committed to making sure that each of this series is short and reader friendly. However, I will not conclude this without calling out Nigerians to consistently interrogate Public Office Holders and Political Operators, we must understand that eternal vigilance is the price of freedom, and we must refuse to drink from the poisoned chalice of deceit, falsehood, and debauchery that self-serving Politricktians wield. And we must say no to their lies, half truths and mendacity.
Compatriots, those defending the egocentric and self-seeking defection of the Delta State Governor and his Team from the PDP to the APC are smart by half. And to those wondering whether we can effectively organize to stop the rudderless APC, the gail of defections notwithstanding, I bring great hope. Yes, there is enough time to perfect and pull through with the needed coalition to defeat the underperforming APC in 2027. Do not forget that Peter Obi didn’t have a State Governor when the Labour Party won the election in 2023. Tinubu didn’t win the majority of the total votes cast when INEC declared him winner, and having failed, as he continues to outperform Buhari in failure, the hail of defections will only deepen the Tinubu rejection.
Do not forget that Delta State was home to the Obidient Movement in 2023, and still is. Do not also forget that Okowa, Sheriff Oborevwori and the PDP machinery was roundly trounced and defeated by the Obidient Movement/Labour Party at the Presidential polls in Delta State in 2023, and that it took the Obidients rejecting Senator Ovie Omo-agege for Oborevwori to emerge Governor in 2023. May the Proud, the Arrogant and the Boastful use their tongue count their teeth, e no far again.
Delta State in 2027 offers a beautiful turf for the replay of the contest between the Peoples Power, and the Power of the men in power. Indeed, 2027 will be a Ballot Based People’s Revolution deeper and more effective than what happened in 2023. Take note that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the APC are consistently their own greatest undoing, not with Buhari’s colossal failure becoming Child’s play compared with Tinubu’s uneventful and Olympic failure.
Folks, we shall coalesce and unite to make Tinubu a One-Term President, that’s the least duty we owe Nigeria.
I shall return very soon with Part 3, but before then, please stay safe and protect yourselves, ‘no be me talk am, na one Oga DSS dem say na im talk am.’
God Bless Nigeria.
Prof Chris Mustapha Nwaokobia Jnr
Convener COUNTRYFIRST MOVT. A Good Governance Advocacy Group.