The Presidency has discarded claims that President Bola Tinubu is responsible for the recent crisis going on in the opposition parties.
In a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga during an interview on Arise News’ Prime Time on Thursday night, the presidency said the allegations are unfounded and politically motivated.
Earlier, leaders from the opposition parties had alleged that the venues they booked for their political events were suddenly cancelled.
The coalition alliance is currently between former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, 2023 Labour party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and others.
They claimed that ADC members were forced to walk long distances to reach the Shehu Musa Yaradua Centre in Abuja to avoid attracting security attention and risking a blockade; an incident some linked to Tinubu and accused him of being responsible.
However, Onanuga has denied the claims stating that the President was not interests neither interfering with the activities of opposition coalitions movement of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Onanuga said; “There is this tendency in Nigeria to scapegoat Tinubu for everything. People face challenges and the first thing they say is, ‘It’s Tinubu.’ But it’s not true. He wasn’t even in the country when some of these events happened.
“This government allows freedom of speech. I’ve heard people say this government is against freedom of speech. That’s baloney. This government allows freedom of speech, freedom of opinion, and freedom of the press. If a hotel cancels an event booking, does that mean Tinubu owns the hotel?.”
Furthermore, Onanuga warned that the coalition alliance is not a guarantee for a win.
According to him, Atiku has been in the presidential race more than anyone – more than Tinubu, more than Obi.
He added that, Atiku fails each time, but Buhari, despite failing serval times, eventually succeededwith Tinubu’s help.
He further criticized Atiku’s political strategy in 2023 warning that he would still fail if he relies on northern sentiments as he was rejected by voters in the South.
To Peter Obi, he observed that the 2023 supporters may not be as much interested in him in 2027 as they were.
He emphasized that Tinubu has extended reasonable appointments to the north and as such, would not be disappointed as he still commands maximum support from thence.
