Kola Ologbondiyan, the former National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has criticized President Bola Tinubu’s aides for attributing the upcoming hunger protest to opposition figures Peter Obi and Atiku Abubakar, labeling it a reflection of a lack of innovative thinking within the presidency.
Ologbondiyan pointed out that neither Peter Obi, the former Labour Party presidential candidate, nor Atiku Abubakar, the former PDP presidential candidate, were responsible for the removal of the fuel subsidy, which has led to significant economic struggles for Nigerians.
He stated that such accusations against Obi and Atiku reveal that President Tinubu has surrounded himself with poor advisers. In a Wednesday interview shared on his social media platforms, he expressed that the presidential aides seem disconnected from the realities faced by Nigerians and the pressing issues affecting the nation.
Ologbondiyan’s comments came in response to remarks made by Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to President Tinubu on Information and Strategy, who claimed that the hunger protest slated for August was being instigated by Peter Obi and other opposition leaders who lost in the last presidential election.
He remarked, “This reflects a severe lack of original thought. It indicates that those advising the president are not providing him with sound counsel.”
“If this is the level of discourse they are presenting publicly, it raises concerns about what they are communicating privately to the president. We are in a dire situation, whether those in power choose to acknowledge it or not.”
He further questioned, “Did Peter Obi advocate for Nigerians to face hunger? Was it Atiku who eliminated the fuel subsidy, causing fuel prices to soar from N187 to over N600? Is it Obi’s doing that the average Nigerian struggles to afford even one meal a day?”
Ologbondiyan continued to highlight the broader issues at play, including the pervasive insecurity that has made it difficult for farmers to tend to their land. “This kind of thinking showcases a serious lack of understanding among those surrounding the president. If this is the best they can offer, it is quite shameful.”
It is worth noting that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has publicly supported the hunger protest, emphasizing that it is a constitutional right of citizens as outlined in the amended 1999 Constitution.
He reminded President Tinubu of his own history of participating in protests against previous administrations, including those against former President Goodluck Jonathan in 2012.
