Elder statesman, Dr Chike Obidigbo, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to restrain his aide, Bayo Onanuga, from making intemperate public statements that could destroy Nigeria.
Obidigbo regretted that the Special Assistant to the
President on Media and Strategy has been making inciting remarks and
provocative hate speeches that could not only damage Nigeria’s feeble national
cohesion but also set the nation on a needless conflagration.
The industrialist condemned Onanuga’s recent statement
claiming that the 2023 Presidential candidate of the Labour Party LP), Peter
Obi and his supporters called the Obidients should be blamed for the planned
national protest against bad governance.
In a statement released to journalists on Sunday, Obidigbo
lamented that despite Onanuga’s experience in media practice and knowledge of
Nigeria’s troubled political history, the presidential aide continues to spew
hate and divisive utterances.
“Many people still remember Onanuga’s role during the
military era, when the Nigerian press adopted guerilla tactics to call
attention to the oppressive regimes in the country. But, having witnessed and
currently benefiting from the nation’s democracy, this veteran journalist has
thrown caution to the wind.
“Onanuga has formed the habit of talking down on Nigerians
as if he is at the head of a military junta. When he is not withdrawing
ill-conceived communication, he churns out statements dripping with deep-seated
bile and hateful innuendos sentences.
“His latest attempt to link the former Governor of Anambra
State with the youth-propelled national protest comes as one of the unthinking
statements unbefitting a presidential aide. Onanuga should be reminded that
when the dark clouds he is invoking bring down rain, nobody’s roof will be
safe,” Obidigbo stated.
He regretted that at a time when countless multinational
business organisations were leaving the country due to unstable economic
indices, the likes of Onanuga should find time to gloat about the last
presidential election.
Obidigbo stated: “Onanuga and indeed all those in public
offices should reckon that Nigeria is at a tricky crossroads and show some
level of empathy to Nigerian masses who are going through excruciating hardship
compounded by insecurity, rising food prices and cost of living challenges.
“In his heart of hearts, Bayo Onanuga knows that Mr Peter
Obi has been exemplary in conduct and character and has remained focused on the
issues of economic development, especially mitigating mass poverty and giving a
helping hand to the poorest of the poor.
“During the electioneering, Mr Peter was elegant in his
public communication and campaign messaging. He resisted provocations and
attempts to be drawn to divisive rhetoric that bedevilled Nigeria’s partisan
politics.
“But, Onanuga’s attempt to single out Igbo for hate by his
dangerous innuendo is not lost on well-meaning Nigerians. This is not the first
time the veteran journalist should descend so low to promote bigotry and ethnic
baiting against the Igbo. And it is high time President Tinubu calls him to
order unless Igbo bashing is at the core of the presidential communication.”
Obidigbo said the myriad of socio-economic challenges
confronting Nigeria trumps the continuing efforts to isolate Igbo through
nepotism and ethnic bashing, adding that the day equity and justice become the
hallmark of national reconciliation, Nigeria will begin the process of national
healing.
“Denying Igbo of political offices could be excused but
trying to despoil their reputation and dependence on self-help could end up as
the last straw that breaks the Camel’s back,” he cautioned.
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