Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Communication and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga has reacted to the endorsement of the planned nationwide protest over the current economic hardship by Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in last year’s general elections, Peter Obi.
Some youths are organizing a nationwide protest from August 1 to 15 to address the rising cost of living and economic hardship.
After meeting with Governor Alex Otti of Abia State on Sunday, Peter Obi emphasized that protesters must act within the bounds of the law.
He also urged security agencies to remain law-abiding, noting that peaceful protest is a globally recognized right.
Obi said: “Within the Nigerian constitution, protest is allowed. All I plead for is that those who are protesting is to do so within the law and in a civil manner that allows us as a nation to show that we live within the law. Everybody knows that things are difficult.
“When they talk about sponsors of the protest, I always say the sponsors are very simple. It’s hunger and hopelessness among the youth, so we all have to listen to what Nigerians are going through.
“What I will say to the security agencies is that they should ensure they manage the situation again within the law. We should not strive to be over-bearing. It should be something that we will do within the law. There is nothing wrong. Protest is allowed globally. People also protest in my house.
“It is for us to listen to those who are protesting. Why are they protesting? Engage them. That is what governance is all about. There is nothing wrong with that. I was Governor for years and people protested.”
This marks the first time Obi has publicly shared his stance on the protest.
Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Communication and Strategy, had accused Obi of being linked to the protest, claiming that Obi’s supporters were planning to incite mayhem in Nigeria.
In response, Obi issued a 72-hour ultimatum for Onanuga to apologize, threatening a defamation lawsuit if his demand was not met.
Through his counsel, Alex Ejesieme, Obi demanded a public apology published in four national newspapers and on Onanuga’s verified X handle, #aonanuga1956.
Obi’s counsel labeled the accusation as a “calculated plot” to tarnish their client’s reputation, causing significant harm to his image and emotional well-being.
The counsel highlighted that the allegation went viral on both social and mainstream media, damaging Obi’s hard-earned reputation.
They emphasized that Obi condemns violence and has a longstanding record of law-abiding and constructive engagement in both private and public life.
Onanuga, however, refused to apologize, challenging Obi to take the matter to court.
Reacting to Obi’s endorsement of the planned nationwide protest, Onanuga asked Obi to lead the protest.
He wrote on X (Twitter) : Now that Peter Obi has come out to endorse the planned protest by his supporters, he should do what President Tinubu and former President Buhari did in the past, by coming out openly to lead the protesters. That is what leadership is about. Not playing the master puppeteer behind the scene. He should be in the forefront of the protest and help in curbing their possible excesses.
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