- the responsibility of government advisers is not just to inform but to unite. Onanuga’s comments, rather than bridging gaps, risk widening them, potentially leading to greater unrest
The recent comments by Mr. Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, have sparked significant controversy. By linking the planned nationwide protests to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and supporters of Peter Obi, Onanuga has ignited a wave of criticism, particularly from Hon. Dr. Kenneth Chibuogwu Gbandi. As the Deputy National Chairman (Diaspora Engagement) of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the senatorial candidate for Delta North in the 2023 general election, Gbandi has strongly condemned Onanuga’s statements, calling them highly irresponsible and dangerous.
Dr. Gbandi’s condemnation of Onanuga highlights a crucial issue: the quality of advice being given to the President. Onanuga, who is widely credited with numerous articles and posts on X (formerly Twitter), has been accused of fostering dangerous innuendos capable of inciting division within the country. Such remarks, according to Gbandi, reflect poorly on the intellectual rigor and responsibility expected of someone in Onanuga’s position.
Rather than heeding the calls of well-meaning Nigerians advocating for dialogue with aggrieved youths disillusioned by the political elite’s perceived conspiracy, Onanuga’s approach has been to exploit public sentiment and stoke tension. This strategy, as Gbandi points out, not only exacerbates existing divisions but also undermines efforts to address the genuine grievances of the youth.
Gbandi’s rebuke is a call to action for the President to reconsider the kind of counsel he receives. The nation’s challenges require thoughtful and constructive engagement, not divisive rhetoric. By labeling legitimate protests as the work of IPOB or Peter Obi’s supporters, Onanuga diverts attention from the substantive issues at hand and instead fosters an atmosphere of suspicion and hostility.
In his statements to the media in Asaba, Dr. Gbandi emphasized the need for the President to address the unbearable hardships facing the country and to engage in dialogue with youth leaders. The current socio-economic climate in Nigeria demands a responsive and empathetic government, one that prioritizes unity and constructive solutions over divisive and inflammatory rhetoric.
The criticism from Dr. Gbandi serves as a stark reminder that the responsibility of government advisers is not just to inform but to unite. Onanuga’s comments, rather than bridging gaps, risk widening them, potentially leading to greater unrest. The call for dialogue is not just a plea for calm but a necessary step towards sustainable peace and progress.
Hon. Dr. Kenneth Chibuogwu Gbandi’s condemnation of Onanuga’s remarks is a call for reason and responsibility, urging the government to engage constructively with its citizens and prioritize the nation’s unity and well-being.
AH Asaba, Delta State
