Tinubu not instigating crisis in opposition parties – Presidency

• The Presidency stated that reports alleging that the president has a hand in the squabble and divisions rocking the opposition parties are politically motivated

The Presidency has said claims that President Bola Tinubu is behind the perennial internal wrangling and crisis in opposition parties are spurious and baseless.

The Presidency stated that reports alleging that the president has a hand in the squabble and divisions rocking the opposition parties are politically motivated.

The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, dismissed the allegations during an interview on Arise News’ Prime Time on Thursday night.

Onanuga said the president is not meddling in the affairs of opposition coalitions, particularly the new alliance between former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party’s Peter Obi, and others under the African Democratic Congress.

He noted that the blaming of Tinubu for the crisis in opposition parties stemmed from the penchant to scapegoat Tinubu for every negative occurrence.

“There is this tendency in Nigeria to scapegoat Tinubu for everything. People face challenges and the first thing they say is, ‘It’s Tinubu.’ But it’s not true. He wasn’t even in the country when some of these events happened,” Onanuga said.

Opposition leaders had earlier this month alleged that venues booked for political events were suddenly cancelled, and that members of the ADC coalition had to walk long distances to reach the Shehu Musa Yaradua Centre in Abuja to avoid attracting security attention and risking a blockade.

Onanuga rejected claims that the current administration is stifling dissent or gagging opposition voices, stating that the government allows for free speech.

“This government allows freedom of speech. I’ve heard people say this government is against freedom of speech. That’s baloney. This government allows freedom of speech, freedom of opinion, and freedom of the press. If a hotel cancels an event booking, does that mean Tinubu owns the hotel?” he asked.