₦airaland Forum

A presidential aide, Bayo Onanuga, has taken a swipe at former Anambra State governor, Peter Obi, over his criticism of the Federal Government and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) following reports of unpaid match bonuses to the Super Eagles.

Onanuga’s comment followed Obi’s earlier post on X, where the Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 election condemned the situation in which the Super Eagles reportedly threatened not to travel to Marrakech for their next Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) match against Algeria unless all outstanding winning bonuses were paid.

Obi had described the development as an embarrassment to the country, lamenting the failure to meet agreed obligations to the players.

“When will this embarrassment end? Can we get through a day without troubling news in this country?” Obi asked, noting that the national team had been a source of joy and unity for Nigerians.

“At a time when Nigerians need joy and unity… these same players are being denied their basic match allowances,” he wrote.

The former governor further criticised government spending priorities, saying,

“A country that writes off trillions in debts for government agencies and political allies, and squanders money on grandiose, self-serving projects, now struggles to pay the basic match bonuses owed to our players.”

He added that the Super Eagles “do not deserve this embarrassment or the avoidable distractions ahead of a crucial quarter-final match,” urging Nigeria to “fulfil its obligations.”

Reacting, Onanuga, the Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, commented under the post, suggesting Obi is a ‘bitter’ person and questioning his comment on the matter.

“Mr Bitter Peter, must you weaponise every issue?” Onanuga wrote.

Meanwhile, the Minister of State for Finance, Mrs Doris Uzoka-Anite, said the issues delaying the release of the bonuses have been addressed.

In a post on her official X account on Thursday, Uzoka-Anite said administrative processes for the payment of Super Eagles’ AFCON 2025 match bonuses had been successfully streamlined.

She disclosed that the Federal Government, working with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), had resolved foreign exchange bottlenecks that previously delayed the settlement of players’ entitlements.

Mr Bitter Peter, must you weaponise every issue?” Onanuga wrote.

owobokiri:
If i may ask; Why the fixation on Obi and the SouthEast by this rudderless presidency?
There are other presidential candidates.., there is even a big name like Atiku, but the presidency and her hirelings seem to breath, eat and shyt Obi..
Its is very strange.

Looks like the South West branch of the APC are only interested in stopping an easterner from becoming a president of Nigeria for whatever reason. That seem to be.the main goal and unfortunately the only goal for Tinubu and his gang..

owobokiri:
If i may ask; Why the fixation on Obi and the SouthEast by this rudderless presidency?
There are other presidential candidates.., there is even a big name like Atiku, but the presidency and her hirelings seem to breath, eat and shyt Obi..
Its is very strange.

Looks like the South West branch of the APC are only interested in stopping an easterner from becoming a president of Nigeria for whatever reason. That seem to be.the main goal and unfortunately the only goal for Tinubu and his gang..

Truthissupreme:
they can't attack atiku without shooting themselves in the foot

Atiku is a respected northern elite and they need northern vote

Putindbutt:
Which foot?, you obviously have low self-esteem. Should I give you the links to several times the Presidency has blasted Atiku ?

KillahPriest:
Special Adviser Information and Strategy but na only Peter Giringory Obi matter dey him head

Truthissupreme:
blasted my foot

Is it the vegetable in aso rock that can blast atiku, someone that can't blast ordinary Gumi

ambale:
Instead of the government to seek accountability as to why the funds were delayed in the first place that led to the protest by the players

They choose to attack a private citizen instead, na same government dey yarn say Dem dey fight corruption ooo😄

richmond500:
Was it not same Obi that owe do tors 13months salary?

Politics ehn