Bayo Onanuga, the Director of Media and Communication for the Tinubu‑Shettima Presidential Campaign Council, discussed several pressing issues with Adebayo Folorunsho‑Francis. When asked about the Peoples Democratic Party’s allegation that the APC presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, had hidden ₦22.5 billion for vote‑buying, Onanuga dismissed the claim as baseless. He urged the PDP to produce concrete evidence, noting that the party has a reputation for making unfounded statements. He also rejected accusations that governors in Kano, Lagos, and other northern states were assisting the APC in hoarding the money, describing such allegations as politically motivated attempts to undermine the APC in states where the PDP expects to lose.
Regarding the recent Supreme Court ruling on the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) naira‑swap policy, Onanuga praised the decision, saying it protected ordinary Nigerians from a policy that was harming them regardless of party affiliation. He explained that the court’s judgment effectively nullified the February 10 deadline for the swap, which he characterized as an irrational and poorly timed measure. He criticized the CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele, for implementing the policy without adequate notice—contrasting it with international practices that allow at least twelve months’ preparation—and highlighted the tragic incident in Abeokuta where a person was killed over the issue. Onanuga argued that the policy’s stated goals of curbing inflation and strengthening the naira have not materialised; the parallel market continues to show a weakening naira, and the policy has failed to address vote‑buying, which he says is not limited to cash transactions.
Onanuga also addressed rumors that fourteen political parties would boycott the election if the CBN’s naira redesign were reversed. He dismissed these parties as “jokers” and “paperweight” groups, mostly affiliated with the opposition, and unlikely to impact the election outcome. He reiterated that the currency swap is a CBN matter, not an APC issue, and emphasized that the party’s concern lies with the suffering of ordinary Nigerians. He praised President Tinubu’s intervention, noting that the president was not fully briefed on the policy’s details, and called for the removal of the “incompetent” CBN governor, whose actions have led to excessive charges for point‑of‑sale operators and a widening gap between official and parallel exchange rates.
When questioned about Governor Nyesom Wike’s failure to formally announce his preferred presidential candidate, Onanuga clarified that Wike has already indicated his support for Bola Tinubu, even if he has not made a public declaration. He also refuted claims that Tonye Cole, the Rivers State governorship candidate, was avoiding campaigning for Tinubu, affirming that Cole remains a steadfast supporter. Onanuga expressed confidence that the election, scheduled for February 25, will proceed as planned and that Tinubu is in a strong position to win, stating that “only God can stop Bola Tinubu from winning the 2023 presidential election.”
Regarding rumors of pressure on former Governor Rabi Kwankwaso to collapse his structure for Atiku Abubakar, Onanuga noted that Kwankwaso has denied any such discussions and remains on the ballot. Finally, on the police invitation to APC PCC New Media Director Femi Fani‑Kayode, Onanuga said the party is concerned about the timing, given the proximity to the election. While respecting police authority, he urged the police to allow the Department of State Services (DSS) to complete its investigation, emphasizing that the DSS had already conducted a professional interview with Fani‑Kayode and granted him administrative bail. He warned against any perception that the police were acting on an opposition‑driven agenda.
Comments are closed for this story.