Presidential Spokesperson Bayo Onanuga faced backlash from Nigerians following his remarks on President Tinubu’s annual vacation.
The controversy began after Ibrahim Masari, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Political and Other Matters, announced on Saturday that Tinubu had left the United Kingdom, where he had been on a two-week vacation, and traveled to Paris, France.
In response, Onanuga posted: “President Tinubu is on leave for two weeks. He is not restricted to the UK. It is his private time. He can go anywhere he desires. He is still on leave.”
Read Also: BREAKING: Tinubu Heads To France From UK
However, Onanuga’s statement did not sit well with many Nigerians, who criticized him for implying that the president could travel freely while on vacation.
One X user, @OfficiaEdoOsasB, sarcastically commented: “UK prime minister always hangs out in Ikoyi and Banana Island for his holiday. Nigerians should relax and enjoy Tinubu’s wonderful policies.”
Another user, @oteessolutions1, wrote, “You actually sound like you’re depressed and having anxiety problems.”
Similarly, @TimedFrank questioned Onanuga’s tone: “Who’s fighting with you? Why this combative tone? Is the pressure getting to you? Take it easy abeg. Oya clean the sweat from your forehead and relax.”
Additionally, @djokaymegamixer raised concerns about the President not handing over power to Vice President Kashim Shettima while on leave, saying, “…because Nigeria is the president’s private estate, there was no need to hand over power to his vice while he was on leave. Wasn’t leave supposed to be for someone who works?”
Read Also: How To Use N10,000 To Travel From Abuja To Lagos – Presidential Aide
More reactions:
@PEC_Concepts, Onanugu is known for tweeting like thugs without courtesy and respect for Nigerians.
Quoting the presidential spokesperson tweet, he wrote, “Always tweeting like an angry motor park agbero; zero courtesy, zero respect for Nigerians.”
@Udoh_D said, “Is he using his private jet to travel around the globe on his private time, or is he spending government money?”
@belloinuwa wrote, “Serious lack of emotional intelligence and empathy from this handle seeing how his reckless economic policies have unleashed hardship on Nigerians.
For now, with what’s happening in Nigeria, he has no “private time”, and he can’t go “anywhere he desires” while Nigerians are undergoing such hardships.
“You may have an axe to grind with his political opponents, but remember that most people that read what you write are struggling ordinary citizens just trying to survive. You are doing more harm than good and are sustaining the impression of Mr President being out of touch with his people.”
@DiceOfTruth said, “At some point you will address the Nigerian people with the respect of that which pays your salary. You work for us not the other way round.
“Being idiotically rude at a vacation that is questionable at best in a land where even the employed can’t afford a product that is natural to us is sickening.”
@ChimeneNdah said, “@officialABAT want Nigerians to be patient and sacrifice but the smallest discomfort he cannot. What has he denied himself?
“With which funds is he using to go anywhere he desires? God will judge all of you. You have no idea the level of suffering we are going through.”
@@paul_khalifa_II said, “Fuel price is skyrocketing. Minister of petroleum is travelling from UK to France. Bayo dey whine us but we no panic.”
@temptee101 said, “See the way you are even addressing Nigerians. Well, majority of Nigerians didn’t vote for him that’s why T-pain and his handlers feel they can address and treat Nigerians anyhow they like. How do we put up with this man for the next 3 years? Chai.”
@sola_isola said, “Lai Mohamed will be smiling whereever he is now because what in the name of God is this consistent display of arrogance in communication.”
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaihFajBadmT29ufud2Z
