Bayo Onanuga, who serves as the Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to President Bola Tinubu, has raised serious allegations against Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, along with his supporters, claiming that they are behind the planned nationwide protest. This assertion has ignited considerable debate and concern among political observers and the general public alike.
In his statements, Onanuga argued that the individuals orchestrating the protests are the same group responsible for hijacking the #EndSARS protest back in 2020. He suggested that their motivations and tactics have not changed since then. According to reports from Vanguard, various youth organizations and groups are mobilizing for nationwide protests to express their dissatisfaction with the current state of the nation. These protests are scheduled to take place on August 1, and they have gained traction with the use of viral hashtags and promotional flyers that are widely circulating on social media platforms.
Onanuga shared this information through an extensive post on X on Saturday, where he articulated his views in great detail. In his post, he stated, “Obi should be held responsible for anarchy. Don’t be fooled: the malcontents planning to stage nationwide protests are supporters of Peter Obi, the failed presidential candidate of the Labour Party. And he should be held responsible for whatever crisis emanates from the action.”
He continued by drawing parallels between the current protest organizers and those who were inspired by IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu to initiate the disruptive #EndSARS protests in Nigeria, which occurred in October 2020. Onanuga emphasized that the #EndSARS movement initially began as a legitimate expression of concern by young people against the Police Special Anti-Robbery Squad, which had gained notoriety for its abusive practices and high-handedness.
However, he accused IPOB members of utilizing this platform as a means to push their own agenda, claiming they infiltrated the protest to promote their goal of extricating the South East region from Nigeria. Onanuga pointed out that the scars left by the destructive actions of IPOB elements are still evident in Lagos to this day. He also noted that two years after the #EndSARS protests, many of the same IPOB members and naïve individuals aligned themselves with the Labour Party in 2022 to throw their support behind Peter Obi, whom he described as a sympathizer of their cause. He criticized this group for perpetuating hashtags such as ‘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,” he expressed, highlighting his frustration with their tactics. Onanuga perceived their actions as indicative of sour grapes, as he described them as “bad losers” who seem to lack the patience to wait for the next election cycle in 2027. Instead of allowing the democratic process to take its course, he accused them of wanting to destabilize Nigeria by inciting a civilian coup against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
He further emphasized the gravity of their actions, warning that if they truly understood the implications of their hashtags and slogans, they would realize that they could be construed as calls for treason. He noted, “Wanting to end an elected government is high treason. Wanting a revolution is a call for a coup d’état, which is also high treason.” Onanuga mentioned that he has been actively tracking one of the nameless individuals involved in planning the protests; this individual claims to operate an internet radio station, PTM100.88 Abuja.
In closing, Onanuga pointed out that the federal government has proactively implemented a variety of measures aimed at alleviating the economic hardships faced by the populace. These measures include increasing the minimum wage, providing student loans, and rolling out palliatives designed to support those in need. He conveyed a message of patience and understanding, stating, “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.” In this way, he underscored the importance of allowing democratic processes to be honored and respected in the face of ongoing political discontent.
