A prominent leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Jesutega Onokpasa, has strongly criticised President Bola Tinubu for what he describes as “ridiculous” appointments, accusing the president of betraying his loyal supporters.
Onokpasa, speaking on Thursday during an interview with Arise News, expressed his dismay at the recent appointment of Daniel Bwala as Special Adviser on Media and Public Communication to the President. According to Onokpasa, Bwala’s appointment is not only perplexing but also a clear act of betrayal.
“Our dear and beloved President stabbed his staunch supporters in the back with his absolutely ridiculous, meaningless, inexplicable appointments,” Onokpasa stated, visibly frustrated. “I am a Tinubu supporter, not a sycophant. His apologists may call it a strategy, but I think it is stupidity.”
The appointment of Bwala, a lawyer and former critic of the president, has caused a stir within the APC ranks. Onokpasa’s main grievance lies in Bwala’s past statements, where he accused President Tinubu of being involved in drug dealing—a serious allegation that has lingered in political circles. Despite these accusations, Tinubu went ahead with the appointment, leading Onokpasa to question the logic behind it.
“How do you call the president of the country a drug dealer, and then reward him with an appointment?” Onokpasa argued. “Daniel Bwala is a lawyer; he has no evidence to prove that our president is a drug dealer. He called him a drug baron, and now, he is being rewarded with an appointment? How can the president appoint such a person?”
Onokpasa’s anger stems from the fact that many of Tinubu’s loyal supporters, including himself, had defended the president during the period of intense criticism from figures like Bwala.
“We were the ones defending him when Bwala called the president a drug dealer,” Onokpasa continued. “How could we defend him and then have this person appointed to such a position? It’s a slap in the face.”
The APC chieftain did not stop there. He further lamented how President Tinubu seems to have taken his supporters for granted, disregarding the sacrifices they made to ensure his success. Onokpasa emphasized that not all of Tinubu’s supporters were seeking appointments, but the lack of recognition and respect from the president had left many feeling betrayed.
“It’s not about wanting an appointment,” Onokpasa clarified. “It’s the insult, the feeling that our president seems to take us for granted. He doesn’t feed us; we just love him. Some of us even consider him like family, but it really hurts. My president just acted like he can stab anyone in the back, humiliate us, and expect us to continue trusting him. I don’t trust him anymore.”
This criticism is just the latest in a growing list of public disputes within the APC. Since President Tinubu took office, some party members have expressed frustration over the handling of appointments, particularly the selection of individuals with controversial backgrounds or questionable political histories.
The appointment of Bwala is seen by many as a reflection of the president’s complex political strategy, but for Onokpasa, it signals a deeper issue within the party’s leadership. The anger is not just directed at the appointment itself but also at the broader pattern of neglect and disregard for the people who helped Tinubu reach the presidency.
“I don’t understand it,” Onokpasa said. “How can you appoint someone who criticized you in such a harsh way? It feels like all our efforts meant nothing. We stood by you, and now we’re being betrayed.”
Despite Onokpasa’s vocal criticism, others within the party have defended the president’s decision, claiming that Bwala’s appointment could be part of a broader political strategy to strengthen the administration’s media presence. Supporters of Tinubu argue that his decisions are motivated by a desire to build a more inclusive government, even if it means appointing individuals who once criticized him.
However, Onokpasa remains unconvinced. The APC chieftain’s disillusionment with the president runs deep, and he voiced concerns over what he perceives as a lack of appreciation for the efforts of the party’s grassroots supporters.
“It’s not just about Bwala,” Onokpasa explained. “It’s about the bigger picture. We’ve been loyal to this president, and now it feels like we’ve been thrown aside. It’s not the kind of leadership we expected.”
This public outcry highlights the growing tensions within the APC and could signal further rifts as the administration navigates the challenges of governance. Whether or not President Tinubu will respond to these criticisms remains to be seen, but the calls for greater acknowledgment of his supporters’ contributions are only growing louder.
In the meantime, Onokpasa’s words have resonated with many in the APC, particularly those who feel sidelined by the president’s recent decisions. As the party grapples with these internal divisions, it is clear that the road ahead may be fraught with challenges.
