The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, has criticized former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi over his claim that democracy in Nigeria has collapsed.
Onanuga, in a post on his X (formerly Twitter) account on Tuesday, dismissed Obi’s remarks as exaggerated and misleading, arguing that democracy in Nigeria remains intact and has only strengthened over the years.
“I listened multiple times to former Governor Peter Obi’s statement in this clip, where he claims that democracy has collapsed in Nigeria. His hyperbolic remarks, suited for headlines, have been made without deep reflection and lack a solid logical foundation,” Onanuga wrote.
Obi had made his statement at the 60th birthday colloquium of former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha, in Abuja on Monday. While reflecting on Nigeria’s democratic journey since 1999, he lamented that the progress made over the years had been reversed.
“If you looked at where we are today, it’s like they (the PDP) started in 1999, laid the foundation. Some people came and took it to decking, and some people were trying to take it to the first floor, when some people came and knocked everything down,” Obi stated.
“That is the situation we are now. Everything has been knocked down and nothing works. I am somebody who can say this, exemplarily. I became a governor through the courts when President Obasanjo and Atiku were in government.”
“I did not pay the court one naira. I was sitting in my office, and the court declared me winner, when a governor was not seeing them. This cannot happen in Nigeria today.”
Reacting to Obi’s claim, Onanuga countered that Nigeria’s democratic institutions remain functional, and the fact that Obi could voice such concerns publicly proved that democracy was still alive.
Read also: Obi codemns Fubara suspension calls for stakeholders intervention
“Only a discontented and disgruntled Peter, who benefits from the very free speech democracy provides, could perceive such a democratic downfall through his lens,” Onanuga argued.
“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.”
He further warned Obi against making statements that could mislead the public, urging him to exercise restraint.
“I will urge him to watch what he says and restrain himself from playing to the gallery,” he added.
