Bode George: Onanuga Will Face Consequences for Disrespecting Obasanjo
Bode George, a prominent leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has stated that Bayo Onanuga, President Bola Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, will face repercussions for disrespecting former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
This comes after Obasanjo, during a keynote speech at the Chinua Achebe Leadership Forum at Yale University, sharply criticized the state of Nigeria under the leadership of President Tinubu. He described the country as a “failing state,” plagued by widespread corruption and poor governance.
In response, Onanuga accused Obasanjo of being an inadequate leader, claiming that his administration oversaw one of the most fraudulent elections in Nigeria’s history. He also suggested that Obasanjo had consistently blamed his successors for the nation’s struggles, despite his own governance flaws.
Onanuga further argued that the current economic crisis facing the country is a direct result of the poor economic decisions made during Obasanjo’s presidency, as well as those of his successors from the same party. He also criticized Obasanjo’s calls for the removal of the leadership of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), labeling it as hypocritical.
In an interview on Nigeria Info FM, Bode George reacted strongly to Onanuga’s comments, stressing that such disrespect towards an elder would not go unpunished. He emphasized that Onanuga’s behavior was in direct violation of Yoruba cultural norms, which hold respect for elders in high regard.
“An elder who could be Onanuga’s father spoke, and he responded with insults. That’s not how we behave in Yoruba culture,” George said. “It’s wrong to respond with such disrespect. Even if you disagree, there’s a way to express your opinion without insulting someone who has been a leader.”
George also alluded to personal past conflicts with Onanuga, recalling previous insults directed at him, and warned that there would be consequences for his actions. “He may not see it now, but there will come a time when he will have to answer for his behavior,” George warned. “He should be careful as he moves forward, because there will be a day when he will have to pay for it.”
