33 Governors cannot be wrong in supporting Tinubu – Bayo Onanuga

The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, has defended the President’s economic record, arguing that the support of 33 state governors reflects confidence in his administration.

Onanuga cited what he described as declining food prices, rising foreign reserves, improved access to foreign exchange and renewed foreign investment as evidence of progress since Tinubu assumed office in May 2023.

The presidential aide made the remarks in a post on X on Friday while reacting to a clip shared by Arise Television featuring Obafemi George, a member of the Media and Strategic Communications Committee of the All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council.

He accused television presenters of promoting the opposition’s position that little or no progress had been recorded under Tinubu, particularly in the management of the economy.

“TV anchors keep pushing the opposition’s narrative that nothing has changed, positively, indeed, massively, since 2023. Their position has become so ridiculous that they keep parroting the old narrative, and now they question the NBS data on receding inflation. I will advise them to revisit the markets,” he wrote.

Onanuga pointed to the prices of staple foods, claiming that the cost of a bag of rice had dropped from about ₦120,000 to below ₦50,000.

“The favourite rice that at a time was selling for N120k a bag has crashed below N50k. In my hometown, a bag now sells for N45K,” he stated.

He argued that the reported decline in food prices and inflation suggested that the administration’s economic policies were beginning to produce results. He also urged television presenters who questioned the figures to assess prices in local markets.

The presidential aide further cited Nigeria’s foreign reserves and the reported ability of Nigerians to use naira-denominated bank cards abroad as signs of improved economic conditions.

“Our reserves are close to $60 billion. Nigerians are now able to use their Naira cards abroad, something that was impossible before Tinubu’s presidency,” he said.

He added that businesspeople could now access foreign exchange to import raw materials and equipment, arguing that the development would support business operations and broader economic activity.

Onanuga also rejected suggestions that returning investors were mainly portfolio investors. He maintained that foreign direct investment was bringing capital into the country and creating jobs.

“Investors are coming back, not mainly as portfolio investors, as some anchors claim, even though Nigerians dominate the stock market, accounting for almost 90 per cent. These investors belong in the category of FDI. They bring money into our economy and create jobs,” he wrote.

Defending the political support for Tinubu, Onanuga argued that the backing of 33 governors reflected confidence in the President’s leadership and economic direction.

“Thirty-three governors cannot be wrong in casting their support for President Tinubu,” he said.

He concluded by accusing critics of allowing partisan interests to influence their assessment of the administration’s performance.

“These facts are clear to anyone not blinded by partisanship and hatred for the leader who has laid a solid foundation for the economy and is poised to take the nation to a higher level of shared prosperity,” he added.

Follow Very Nigerian WhatsApp Channel
For Verified Breaking News, Exclusive Reports, Trending Stories, And Real-time Updates.
CLICk HERE TO JOIN!