A fresh political confrontation has erupted between the Presidency and a former top government official, as Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, has strongly criticised former Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, over his recent comments describing the administration’s “Renewed Hope” agenda as a scam.
The exchange followed remarks made by Aregbesola at the eighth national convention of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) held in Abuja. Speaking during the presentation of the party’s secretariat report, Aregbesola accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of lacking direction and failing Nigerians.
According to him, the ADC is on a “rescue mission” to free the country from what he described as the poor leadership of the current government. He claimed that the APC never had a clear vision for governance and that its much-publicised “Renewed Hope” programme had not delivered meaningful results.
Aregbesola also raised concerns about recent changes to Nigeria’s electoral laws, alleging that they weaken accountability by allowing irregularities to go unpunished. He argued that such policies could damage the country’s democracy if not addressed.
On the economy, the former Osun State governor painted a grim picture. He pointed to the sharp decline in the value of the naira since President Tinubu assumed office in 2023, noting that the currency had fallen from about N700 to the dollar to roughly N1,400. He described this as a devastating development for a country that relies heavily on imports.
He also criticised the rising cost of fuel, which he said had increased from between N185 and N238 per litre before the current administration to about N1,400 per litre. According to him, the high cost of transportation has made it difficult for many Nigerians to go to work and meet daily needs.
Aregbesola further highlighted challenges in the power sector, claiming that electricity supply has worsened in many parts of the country. He said some communities receive only a few hours of electricity daily, while others experience prolonged blackouts lasting weeks or even months.
Based on these issues, Aregbesola called on President Tinubu to step down, arguing that the administration had failed to meet its promises. He said that an “honest president” should accept responsibility and not seek re-election after failing to deliver on key commitments.
He also accused the government of trying to hold on to power at all costs, warning that such actions could weaken Nigeria’s democratic system.
However, in a swift response posted on social media, Onanuga dismissed Aregbesola’s comments as baseless and described them as the outburst of a politician with a poor record in public office.
Onanuga argued that Aregbesola lacked the moral authority to criticise the current administration, given his performance both as governor of Osun State and as Minister of Interior under former President Muhammadu Buhari.
He accused Aregbesola of leaving behind a troubled legacy in Osun State, where civil servants reportedly faced months of unpaid salaries and pensioners struggled to receive their entitlements. According to Onanuga, the situation during Aregbesola’s tenure caused significant hardship for many residents.
He added that subsequent administrations in the state have had to deal with the financial challenges left behind, suggesting that Aregbesola’s time in office created long-lasting problems.
Turning to Aregbesola’s tenure as Minister of Interior, Onanuga criticised what he described as a failure to secure correctional facilities across the country. He cited several prison breaks during that period, including the high-profile Kuje prison attack in 2022, which led to the escape of many inmates.
He also mentioned difficulties Nigerians faced in obtaining passports during that time, describing the process as frustrating and inefficient.
Onanuga questioned Aregbesola’s credibility on issues of security and governance, stating that it was ironic for him to criticise the current administration after what he called a poor performance in office.
The presidential aide also used the opportunity to defend the Tinubu administration’s policies, acknowledging that recent reforms have created challenges but insisting that they are necessary for long-term growth.
He pointed to what he described as key achievements of the government, including a significant increase in the national minimum wage, improvements in foreign reserves, and growth in the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
Onanuga also claimed that inflation, which had risen sharply in recent years, was beginning to decline, and that the government had introduced measures to ease the burden on vulnerable Nigerians.
He highlighted that the administration is aware of the hardships faced by citizens and is working to address them through various support programs.
The clash between Aregbesola and Onanuga reflects growing political tensions ahead of future elections, as opposition parties continue to criticise the government’s performance while the ruling party defends its record.
The debate over the state of the economy remains a central issue in national discourse. While critics highlight rising costs of living, currency instability, and infrastructure challenges, government officials argue that reforms are beginning to yield positive results.
For many Nigerians, the key concern is how these policies affect daily life. Issues such as fuel prices, transportation costs, electricity supply, and job opportunities continue to dominate public conversations.
As both sides exchange accusations, citizens are left to assess the claims and decide which narrative reflects their reality. The coming months are likely to see more political debates as parties position themselves ahead of future electoral contests.
For now, the war of words between Aregbesola and the Presidency highlights the deep divisions in Nigeria’s politics and the ongoing struggle over the direction of the country’s leadership and policies.