Onanuga Accuses El-Rufai, Others Of Plotting Against Tinubu, They Feel Irrelevant

Presidential aide, Bayo Onanuga, has launched a strong defense of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, accusing former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, and some other unnamed politicians of plotting to undermine the president because they feel sidelined in Nigeria’s current political landscape.

Onanuga, who serves as Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, made the allegations on Monday in a lengthy post on his official X (formerly Twitter) account.

Tinubu’s Legacy Will Outshine Opposition Alliances, Says Presidential Aide Bayo Onanuga

He said it was both “ironic and hypocritical” for El-Rufai to be among those pushing for Tinubu’s removal, recalling that the former governor once publicly declared that four years was not enough time for any leader to make meaningful changes in office.

“President Tinubu has not even completed his first term,” Onanuga wrote, “yet he has already delivered tangible results across different sectors of the economy. The irony is that those who failed to deliver progress during their time in power are now the ones plotting against the very man who has started laying the foundations of prosperity.”

Onanuga took the opportunity to highlight what he described as the successes of the Tinubu administration in its first two years.

He drew comparisons between Tinubu and some past state governors whom he labeled as “political laggards and underachievers” from Anambra, Rivers, and Kaduna States, insisting that Tinubu had outperformed them.

According to him, Nigeria’s economic indicators have witnessed marked improvements under Tinubu. He noted that foreign reserves had risen to their highest point in 44 months, while the Nigerian Stock Exchange had generated over ₦26 trillion in new wealth. He further disclosed that the All Share Index had jumped from 53,000 points to more than 140,000 points since Tinubu assumed office.

“The president has harmonised the exchange rate, reduced inflation for four consecutive months, and grown the GDP by ₦103.5 trillion in just two years,” Onanuga claimed. “For the first time in many years, we have recorded balance of payment surpluses that reflect a more stable economy.”

Beyond macroeconomic performance, Onanuga emphasized that Tinubu’s policies were touching the lives of ordinary Nigerians. He referenced the introduction of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), which provides access to loans for indigent students, describing it as a “revolutionary” step towards making higher education accessible.

He also highlighted welfare programs targeting vulnerable citizens. “Millions of vulnerable Nigerians are receiving direct cash support through the Humanitarian Ministry,” he said. “National revenue has expanded phenomenally, and the government is determined to ensure no one is left behind.”

Onanuga further stated that governors and local governments were reaping unprecedented benefits from federal allocations due to reforms in revenue generation and distribution. He argued that states now have more money to fund capital projects, invest in infrastructure, and create employment opportunities.

“Our national revenue has grown remarkably and will hit new records this year and next year when tax reforms take off,” he said. “Governors themselves have openly admitted that they have never had it so good. The federation is more financially stable than it has been in decades.”

El-Rufai Warns Of INEC Interference In Plans For New Opposition Party Ahead Of 2027

The presidential aide did not hold back in his criticism of those calling for Tinubu’s removal. He described them as “power-hungry politicians who have become irrelevant in today’s Nigeria” and accused them of plotting not for the sake of the people but to regain personal influence.

“These are individuals who once dominated the political space and believed Nigeria could not progress without them,” he wrote.

“Now that they find themselves on the margins, they are scheming to destabilize the administration that is genuinely working for the people. May they never succeed in their plot against our nation.”

In a direct jab at El-Rufai, Onanuga suggested that the former governor’s own words could be politically damaging in the future. He referenced an old video in which El-Rufai argued that four years was too short for any political office holder to effect lasting change, vowing that the video would be used against him during future election campaigns.

“When electioneering begins, El-Rufai’s own confession will be played back for Nigerians to judge his sincerity,” Onanuga declared. “Those who live by hypocrisy cannot escape their record.”