Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, has challenged Peter Obi over the former Anambra State governor’s claim that political opponents misrepresented his comments about Nigerians living abroad.
Onanuga criticised Obi’s clarification, insisting that his original remarks had not been twisted by political opponents.
In a post on his X account, Onanuga said Obi had failed to address the concerns raised by his earlier comments.
“Mr Peter Obi, you failed to clarify your Manchester callous statement. Nobody twisted your statement. Thank you for affirming it again,” he wrote.
Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), had earlier accused political opponents of distorting his message about Nigerians in the diaspora, despite a clarification from his media office.
The former governor explained that he recognised the contributions of Nigerians living abroad, particularly their financial support for relatives at home.
According to him, remittances from Nigerians in the diaspora help families meet essential needs, including school fees, medical bills, rent and feeding.
Obi maintained that he had not called on Nigerians abroad to abandon their families but had expressed concern over the number of citizens who rely on relatives overseas to meet their basic needs.
“Our goal must be to build a nation that provides jobs, affordable healthcare, quality education, and economic opportunities for its citizens,” he wrote.
He added that his position was an appeal for the country to create an environment where citizens could provide for themselves without depending heavily on relatives living abroad.
“Political opponents may twist my message, but the truth remains clear: I am not asking Nigerians abroad to abandon their families. I am advocating for a Nigeria that will no longer abandon its own people,” Obi said.
In a separate post, Onanuga called for the death penalty for counterfeiters following the discovery of a suspected counterfeit alcoholic drinks production facility in Aba, Abia State.
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) had uncovered the suspected facility at No. 25 Omenazu Street, Aba.
Reacting to the discovery, Onanuga condemned those allegedly involved in the production of counterfeit alcoholic drinks, arguing that severe punishment was necessary to stop the practice.
“These counterfeiters certainly have no conscience. Until we start imposing a death penalty on them, they will never stop their nefarious activities,” he wrote.