Human rights activist Aisha Yesufu has fiercely criticised Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, over a provocative post on X mocking opposition leaders following the African Democratic Congress (ADC)’s poor performance in the recent by-elections.
Chronicle NG reports that Onanuga shared a photo of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party’s Peter Obi, and other opposition figures, captioning it, “How is the market now?” —a taunting reference to the ADC’s failure to secure any seats in the polls held across 12 states.
In her blistering reaction to X, Yesufu claimed, “I, Aisha Yesufu, as the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and my Special Adviser for Information & Strategy put out a message like this! He or she will be fired immediately! As Nigeria doesn’t currently have a president, anything goes! Poor Nigeria!”
Her statement blasted Onanuga’s tone as inappropriate for a presidential adviser and highlighted a lack of effective leadership in the country.
The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) won 12 of the 16 legislative seats in the by-elections, while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) each claimed one, and the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) won two.
The ADC, which was supported by opposition heavyweights including Atiku and Obi, failed to have an effect, triggering Onanuga’s remark and reigniting arguments over the opposition’s viability before the 2027 election.
The outcome of the Saturday by-elections held across 16 constituencies in 12 states saw the APC capturing the majority of the seats; the Peoples Democratic Party recorded wins in Ibadan, Oyo State, and Adamawa State; the New Nigeria Peoples Party emerged victorious in Kano; and the All Progressives Grand Alliance secured Anambra State. The ADC, however, did not win in any constituency.
