The Nigerian Presidency has issued a cautionary response to comments made by Peter Obi, the Labour Party's presidential candidate in the 2023 general election. Obi had asserted that Nigeria's democracy has collapsed under the current administration.
In reaction, Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to President Bola Tinubu, criticized Obi's statement, describing it as exaggerated and lacking a solid logical foundation.
Onanuga emphasized that Nigeria's democracy has been strengthening over the past 26 years and questioned how it could be deemed collapsed. He highlighted that Obi's ability to freely express his views is itself proof that democracy is still functioning in the country.
Onanuga urged Obi to be cautious with his statements and to refrain from making hyperbolic remarks that could mislead the public.
This exchange underscores the vibrant and sometimes contentious nature of political discourse in Nigeria, reflecting the diverse perspectives on the state of the nation's democracy.