… says Tinubu deserves two terms like Buhari
Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, urged the North wait till the appropriate time to take its turn again at producing the President for the country.
Cautioning the region against undermining the chances of the South to take its second term shot at the nation’s presidency in 2027, Onanuga stressed stated that President Bola Tinubu deserves re-election like his predecessor, late Muhammadu Buhari.
The presidential spokesman advised Northern politicians to wait for their turn just as the South waited during the tenure of late President Buhari.
Onanuga, who spoke on a programme on Trust Radio on Wednesday, described the marginalisation complaints from the apex Northern socio-political organisation, Arewa Consultative Forum as a veiled attempt to undermine Southern presidency.
He noted that the ACF’s criticisms against the President were part of a deliberate attempt to undermine his administration because he is from the South.
“This President is a Nigerian. He deserves the same two terms that Buhari had. Let’s not sacrifice the country for personal ambition,” he said.
The presidential spokesman dismissed claims that the Tinubu administration is shortchanging the North in appointments and infrastructure, arguing that development challenges are nationwide.
Onanuga further stated that claims that Tinubu is marginalising Northern Nigeria are politically motivated allegations rooted in personal ambition.
Dismissing the claim that appointments have disproportionately favoured the South-West, Onanuga urged critics to present data rather than rely on broad generalisations.
“You need to get your statistics right. It’s all political mischief designed to undermine the President. There are bad roads across the country, not just in the North,” he said.
Onanuga also pointed to key security positions currently occupied by Northerners as evidence of balanced appointments under Tinubu’s leadership.
“The National Security Adviser, Chief of Defence Staff, and the two Defence Ministers are all Northerners,” he said.
Onanuga further highlighted improvements in security in parts of the North, particularly Kaduna State.
“Places like Birnin Gwari and Igabi (in Kaduna) are now safer. I drove from Kaduna to Abuja without incident, a journey that was once unthinkable,” he said.
