Bayo Onanuga, the special adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, has dismissed the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as a group of “desperate politicians” who lack a coherent national vision. His comments came in response to criticism from ADC chieftain and former Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, during the party’s National Convention held in Abuja on Tuesday. Aregbesola, who serves as the ADC’s National Secretary, labeled the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC)-led administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda a “classic scam.”
In a reaction posted on his X (formerly Twitter) account, Onanuga countered Aregbesola’s claims, stating, “No, Rauf. The real scammers are the politicians inside the SPV called ADC.” He accused Aregbesola of echoing opposition narratives and misrepresenting the government’s performance. Onanuga noted that at the convention, Aregbesola called for his former boss, mentor, and benefactor to resign, repeating the opposition’s distorted views about the economy and alleged orchestrated reports of terrorist attacks in various regions of the country.
Onanuga also criticized Aregbesola’s tenure as Governor of Osun State from 2010 to 2018, emphasizing the widespread hardship experienced during that period. He remarked, “His eight years as governor of Osun State were characterised by unmitigated hardship for the people—civil servants went unpaid for months, and pensioners suffered greatly.” Furthermore, Onanuga addressed Aregbesola’s time as Minister of Interior, highlighting administrative failures such as delays in passport processing and security breaches. He stated, “During his four years, obtaining a Nigerian passport became a nightmarish process, and there were multiple jailbreaks, including the infamous Kuje prison escape.” Onanuga added, “For someone who failed so woefully to secure our correctional centres, it is ironic that Aregbesola now seeks to lecture others on insecurity.”
In defense of the current administration’s record, Onanuga acknowledged the challenges posed by recent economic reforms but emphasized the government’s proactive 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 explained. He also pointed to improving economic indicators under the Renewed Hope Agenda, such as increased GDP, stronger foreign reserves, and a buoyant stock market that reflects growing investor confidence. “The Renewed Hope Agenda is not a scam,” he insisted.
This exchange highlights the intensifying political rhetoric as Nigeria approaches the next electoral cycle, with both the ruling party and the opposition trading accusations regarding governance and economic management.
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