Nigeria’s President Alleges Supporters of Opposition Candidate are Planning Mayhem

Bayo Onanuga, a senior to Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, has accused supporters of former presidential candidate Peter Obi of planning nationwide protests aimed at destabilizing the country.

In a post on his X handle, Onanuga claimed that the planned protests are being orchestrated by Obi’s supporters, whom he described as failed presidential candidates. He alleged that the protesters are planning to stage a civilian coup against Tinubu’s government.

Onanuga claimed that the protesters are the same people who were involved in the destructive ENDSARS protest in Nigeria in October 2020, which was instigated by Nnamdi Kanu, the incarcerated leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). The IPOB members infiltrated the protest and hijacked it for their own agenda, leading to widespread destruction and chaos.

The government has accused Obi’s supporters of spreading propaganda and attempting to call out the people via social media using hashtags such as #EndBadGovernance, #TinubuMustGo, and #Revolution2024. These hashtags, according to the government, are nothing more than clarion calls for treason and a call for a coup d’état.

The government has also identified several individuals involved in planning the protests, including one who claims to have an internet radio station and has been posting messages supportive of Obi’s cause. The government has accused these individuals of being “malcontents” and has called on security agents to interrogate them.

In response to the allegations, Onanuga has urged Nigerians to be cautious and not to be fooled by the protesters’ claims. He has argued that the government has taken several measures to address the cost of living crisis, including increasing the minimum wage, disbursing loans to students, and launching a credit corporation to promote consumption credit.

The government has also highlighted its efforts to improve the economy, reduce inflation, and increase revenue generation. Tinubu has a four-year mandate to run his agenda, and the government has called on those calling for protest to wait until 2027 to either re-elect him or elect Obi as their president.

The ongoing controversy has sparked widespread debate and concern in Nigeria, with many wondering what the future holds for the country and the government’s ability to address the numerous challenges it faces.