Special adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, has dismissed the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as a collection of “desperate politicians” lacking a coherent national vision. His remarks follow criticism of the administration by ADC chieftain and former Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, during the party’s National Convention in Abuja on Tuesday.
Aregbesola, who serves as the ADC’s National Secretary, described the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC)-led administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda as a “classic scam.” Reacting via his X (formerly Twitter) account, Onanuga countered, “No, Rauf. The real scammers are the politicians inside the SPV called ADC.”
Onanuga accused Aregbesola of echoing opposition narratives and misrepresenting the government’s performance. “At the event, Aregbesola reportedly called on his former boss, mentor, and benefactor to resign, parroting the opposition’s warped narratives about the economy and orchestrated reports of terrorist attacks in some parts of the country,” Onanuga stated.
The presidential aide also criticised Aregbesola’s tenure as Governor of Osun State from 2010 to 2018, highlighting widespread hardship during his administration. “His eight years as governor of Osun State were characterised by unmitigated hardship for the peopleā€”civil servants went unpaid for months, and pensioners suffered greatly,” Onanuga said.
Turning to Aregbesola’s time as Minister of Interior, Onanuga cited administrative failures, including passport processing delays and security breaches. “During his four years, obtaining a Nigerian passport became a nightmarish process, and there were multiple jailbreaks, including the infamous Kuje prison escape,” he noted. “For someone who failed so woefully to secure our correctional centres, it is ironic that Aregbesola now seeks to lecture others on insecurity.”
Defending the current administration’s record, Onanuga acknowledged the challenges posed by recent economic reforms but emphasised the government’s response. “The Tinubu administration has never shied away from acknowledging that policy reforms have brought unintended consequences, but we have introduced numerous relief measures, including cash transfers and support for small businesses,” he said.
Onanuga pointed to improving economic indicators under the Renewed Hope Agenda, including increased GDP, stronger foreign reserves, and a buoyant stock market reflecting growing investor confidence. “The Renewed Hope Agenda is not a scam,” he insisted.
The exchange underscores the intensifying political rhetoric as Nigeria approaches the next electoral cycle, with both the ruling party and opposition trading accusations over governance and economic management.
