The Nigerian Presidency has accused supporters of Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), of shielding him from scrutiny and giving him a "licence to lie" without consequences. Special Adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, made the allegations in a series of posts on X on Saturday. Onanuga highlighted four issues from the Anambra State Government's response to statements attributed to Obi, criticizing Obi and his supporters.
According to Onanuga, Obi's supporters have created a double standard around the former Anambra governor by defending him whenever his claims are challenged. The Anambra government stated that Obi consistently criticized his predecessors and successors in office while portraying himself as the only major political figure capable of advancing the state. Obi's supporters argue that he is allowed to choose whom he supports, even when not contesting an election, while others, like Governor Soludo, face criticism for exercising the same right.
Onanuga further alleged that Obi's supporters tolerate what they consider falsehoods from him due to loyalty, undermining accountability in public life. He suggested that supporters who genuinely care about Obi should encourage him to avoid making claims that can be disproved by available facts. Instead of defending him whenever he faces criticism, they should promote a culture of accountability and strong ethical politics.
The presidential aide also questioned Obi's approach to governance, particularly his emphasis on government savings and interest income. Onanuga argued that governance should be measured by its impact on citizens, including security, welfare, and living conditions, rather than primarily by the amount of money saved by government. He believes Obi's governance philosophy, structured by his trading experience, is unfit to govern Nigeria.
Onanuga cited the Anambra government's position that Obi used a media team, including Val Obienyem, to sustain criticism of successive administrations in Anambra. The government accused Obi of spending eight years in office demarketing his predecessors and successors. Onanuga argued that Obi's supporters apply different standards to him and other political actors, allowing him to lie without consequences.
The Anambra government responded to statements attributed to Obi, highlighting his consistent criticism of his predecessors and successors. The government also accused Obi of using his media team to demarket his successors. Onanuga used these points to criticize Obi and his supporters, arguing that their behavior undermines accountability in public life.
The criticism from the Presidency comes as Peter Obi's candidacy gains attention in Nigerian politics. Obi's supporters have defended him against criticism, arguing that he is a capable leader who can advance the state. However, the Presidency's allegations suggest that Obi's supporters may be shielding him from scrutiny, allowing him to make unsubstantiated claims without consequences.
Key points
- The Nigerian Presidency has accused Peter Obi supporters of shielding him from scrutiny.
- Peter Obi's supporters have created a double standard around him, defending him whenever his claims are challenged.
- The Presidency argues that Obi's governance philosophy, structured by his trading experience, is unfit to govern Nigeria.
