Bode George, a former deputy national chairman (south) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), says Bayo Onanuga, the presidential spokesperson, will face repercussions for insulting former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
BACKGROUND
Obasanjo, speaking at the Chinua Achebe leadership forum at Yale University in the US on November 16, said the 2023 general election was a “travesty”.
The former president said Nigeria’s failing state status is evident due to “widespread corruption, poor leadership, and immorality,” causing insecurity and underdevelopment.
He described the situation in Nigeria as chaotic under the “Baba-go-slow” and “Emilokan” reigns.
“Emilokan” is a term popularised during President Bola Tinubu’s election campaign, when he said it was his turn to lead the country.
Obasanjo said Nigeria must appoint new and credible leaders for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) with short tenures to prevent corruption and re-establish trust in the institution.
ONANUGA HITS OBASANJO
While responding to Obasanjo’s comments, Onanuga said the former president left many unresolved problems for the country, adding that he presided over the most fraudulent election in Nigeria’s history.
Onanuga faulted Obasanjo for taking to the public media to “bestow his unsolicited wisdom on leadership and governance in Nigeria”.
The presidential spokesperson said that the ex-president had continued to blame those who served after his tenure for the nation’s myriads of challenges even when he had his many flaws.
“The beneficiary of the sham election, Umaru Yar’Adua, admitted that the election was seriously flawed and, as Justice Muhammed Uwais’s panel recommended, worked towards electoral reforms,” Onanuga said.
“It is hypocrisy writ large when a man who presided over the worst election in Nigeria demands the sack of the leadership of the Independent National Electoral Commission.
“The only positive of the Obasanjo era was fiscal and monetary policy management buoyed by a consistent rise in crude oil prices throughout his eight-year tenure.
“This rise in crude oil prices started in 2000 and peaked in 2013 when it reached over 100 dollars per barrel before a decline in 2014, which set the oil-dependent economy downward.
“The current economic crisis the All Progressives Congress administrations have been battling since 2015 is the product of the poor choices in economic management made by Obasanjo and the two successors from his party.”
‘YORUBA CULTURE DOESN’T GIVE ROOM FOR INSULTING ELDERS’
However, in an interview on Nigeria Info FM, George said Onanuga would pay back for insulting an elder, noting that Yoruba culture does not condone such behaviour.
The PDP chieftain chided Onanuga for his comments against Obasanjo, noting that the former president was old enough to be his father.
“An old man who could be Bayo Onanuga’s father said something, and you took him on by blasting him right, left, and centre,” George said.
“That is his style because he did it to me before; he didn’t meet me at Ijebu Ode Grammar School.
“You can see how small he is when comparing himself to us; people give their opinion, and you insult them.
“Even if you want to react, the Yoruba culture does not allow that insult from him.
“Someday he would pay back, because there would be a day after, and that’s more important.
“He should be vigilant as he walks because it’s possible for him.”