₦airaland Forum

A presidential aide, Bayo Onanuga, has cautioned former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi, to be mindful of his statements after the former governor claimed that democracy in Nigeria had collapsed

Obi, while speaking at the 60th birthday colloquium for former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha, in Abuja on Monday, said the progress made since Nigeria’s return to civilian rule in 1999 had been eroded.

He stated, “If you looked at where we are today, it’s like, they (the PDP) started in 1999, laid the foundation. Some people came and took it to decking, and some people were trying to take it to the first floor, when some people came and knocked everything down.

“That is the situation we are now. Everything has been knocked down and nothing works. I am somebody who can say this, exemplarily. I became a governor through the courts when President Obasanjo and Atiku were in government.

“I did not pay the court one naira. I was sitting in my office and the court declared me winner, when a governor was not seeing them. This cannot happen in Nigeria today.”

Reacting to the remarks, Onanuga, in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday, dismissed Obi’s claims as exaggerated and lacking in logical foundation, insisting that democracy in Nigeria has only grown stronger over the past 26 years.

“I listened multiple times to former Governor Peter Obi’s statement in this clip, where he claims that democracy has collapsed in Nigeria. His hyperbolic remarks, suited for headlines, have been made without deep reflection and lack a solid logical foundation,” Onanuga wrote.

The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy further argued that if democracy had indeed collapsed, Obi would not have been able to express his views so freely at the colloquium.

“Only a discontented and disgruntled Peter, who benefits from the very free speech democracy provides, could perceive such a democratic downfall through his lens. If democracy had indeed collapsed, as Peter claims, and we were living under a regime antithetical to democratic principles, he would not have been able to make his comments on Monday,” he stated.

Onanuga warned Obi against making statements that could mislead the public, urging him to exercise restraint and avoid what he described as playing to the gallery

“I will urge him to watch what he says and restrain himself from playing to the gallery,” he added.

tundegan:
Peter Obi is very disgruntled.

How will a man that enjoyed the privilege of democracy make such a statement?

Maxymilliano:
But Obasanjo was also at the gathering and he highlighted how the country has retrogressed greatly in democratic practices and ethos, how come only Peter Obi is getting a warning from the government

helinues:
Toh

Peter Obi recklessness heh

How can you be aspiring to be Nigeria president and still be saying trash about Nigeria.

Maxymilliano:
https://punchng.com/watch-your-words-onanuga-warns-peter-obi-over-democracy-comment/?fbclid=IwY2xjawJPcPVleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHdVUzmeqwcnmInYb4EpCVjOPn7olweL1UWNOkK1e-wEb8GrMYG43Vq7hGg_aem_9LN_f7Lq7ObnbYxkH6qv_g

Mrfixiit:
Charlatan Onanuga is that you ?

Kaycee9242:
Arrest him na or are you afraid?

FreeStuffsNG:
It's obvious that you are the indomie generation. When Mr Obi was receiving appointments and contracts from Late General Sani Abacha, Mr Bayo Onanuga was amongst those fighting Abacha to restore the democracy and freedom of speech Mr Obi is trying to abuse today. Mr Bayo Onanuga is way far ahead of Mr Obi in our democracy and he's one of those who can tell Mr Obi to go sit down and keep quiet. Mr Bayo Onanuga is way way above Obi!

Go and read about the guerrilla Tempo Magazine , The News Magazine etc that was being distributed and sold in the dark during the draconian years of late Abacha and ask Obi where he was then.
Obi was receiving contracts and appointments Gen Abacha stained with the blood of our democracy heroes and matyrs.