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The spokesman for President Bola Tinubu, Bayo Onanuga has said that the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, needs counselling, citing what he described as a pattern of gaffes, inconsistencies and incoherence in the former Anambra State governor’s public statements.
Onanuga made the remarks in a post on his X account on Wednesday while reacting to reports that Obi had urged Nigerians living abroad not to send money to their relatives back home.
The presidential spokesman criticised Obi’s reported position on diaspora remittances, questioning the consistency of his public comments as political activities gather momentum ahead of the 2027 general election.
“Peter Obi needs some counselling, not ordinary counselling. All those gaffes, inconsistencies, and incoherence are forming a worrisome pattern. I seriously think that he needs help,” Onanuga wrote.
His remarks add to the exchanges between supporters of the Tinubu administration and opposition figures as political discussions intensify ahead of the next presidential election.
Obi, who contested the 2023 presidential election under the Labour Party, remains a prominent opposition figure. He has since become associated with the Nigeria Democratic Congress, which he is expected to represent in the 2027 presidential contest, according to the report.
Controversy over diaspora remittances
The immediate subject of Onanuga’s criticism was a reported comment by Obi concerning money sent home by Nigerians living abroad.
Diaspora remittances provide financial support to millions of Nigerians and help families meet expenses such as food, education, healthcare, housing and other essential needs.
Money sent by Nigerians abroad also contributes to foreign exchange inflows and supports economic activity in the country.
Consequently, any public statement concerning remittances can attract considerable attention, particularly amid economic pressures facing households.
However, the full context of Obi’s reported remarks was not immediately available, making it difficult to establish precisely what he said, the circumstances surrounding the statement or the point he intended to make.
Onanuga nevertheless used the report to question Obi’s public communication and describe what he considered a recurring pattern of inconsistencies.
Political exchanges ahead of 2027
The criticism comes as political figures and parties position themselves ahead of the 2027 general election.
Obi, who finished third in the 2023 presidential election, has continued to feature prominently in discussions about the opposition and the country’s political future.
Onanuga, meanwhile, has frequently used his position as a presidential spokesman to respond to developments involving the administration and its political opponents.
His latest comments reflect the continuing exchanges between figures associated with the Tinubu administration and opposition politicians.
While Onanuga questioned Obi’s public statements, the presidential spokesman’s post did not provide specific examples of the alleged inconsistencies beyond the reported comment on diaspora remittances.
Obi’s full response to the criticism was not included in the available report.
The development is likely to draw further attention to the debate over the role of political communication and public statements as Nigeria approaches another election cycle.
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