Onanuga Slams ADC’s Aregbesola, Defends Tinubu’s Policies

The Special Adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, has dismissed the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as a platform of “desperate politicians” lacking a clear national agenda.

Onanuga made the remarks while reacting to criticisms of the Tinubu administration by ADC National Secretary, Rauf Aregbesola, during the party’s National Convention in Abuja.

Aregbesola had described the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda as a “classic scam.”

Responding via a post on his X handle, Onanuga wrote, “No, Rauf. The real scammers are the politicians inside the SPV called ADC.”

He accused Aregbesola of echoing opposition narratives and attempting to misrepresent the government’s performance.

“At the event, Aregbesola reportedly called on his former boss, mentor, and benefactor to resign, parroting the opposition’s warped narratives about the economy and orchestrated reports of terrorist attacks in some parts of the country,” he said.

Onanuga also criticised Aregbesola’s record in public office, alleging that his eight-year tenure as governor of Osun State was marked by hardship, including unpaid salaries and challenges faced by pensioners.

He further faulted Aregbesola’s performance as Minister of Interior, citing difficulties in passport issuance and incidents of prison breaks, including the Kuje correctional facility escape.

“For someone who failed so woefully to secure our correctional centres, it is ironic that Aregbesola now seeks to lecture others on insecurity,” he added.

Defending the current administration, Onanuga acknowledged that economic reforms had posed challenges but noted that relief measures had been introduced to cushion the effects.

“The Tinubu administration has never shied away from acknowledging that policy reforms have brought unintended consequences, but we have introduced numerous relief measures, including cash transfers and support for small businesses,” he said.

He added that key economic indicators were improving, citing increased GDP, stronger foreign reserves, and a bullish stock market as signs of growing investor confidence.

“The Renewed Hope Agenda is not a scam,” Onanuga maintained.