A presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, sparked social media controversy following his remark regarding President Bola Tinubu’s frequent travels.
TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports that the senior special assistant to the President on political matters, Ibrahim Kabir Masari, in a statement via the microblogging platform X, formerly Twitter, had disclosed that President Tinubu had left the United Kingdom, where he was scheduled for a two-week vacation, for Paris, France.
In response to the statement, Onanuga tweeted, “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 so desires. He is still observing his leave.”
Onanuga’s tweet did not sit well with many Nigerians, who took to the post’s comment section to call him out for speaking in a degrading manner to the citizens.
Netizens also quickly pointed out that public funds are being used to sponsor these personal vacations even though the president is unrestricted from travelling anywhere. They also raised concerns about transparency and accountability in government expenditure.
How Nigerians Reacted:
OfficiaEdoOsasB, wrote, “UK prime minister always hangout in Ikoyi and banana Island for his holiday. Nigerians should take a chill pill and enjoy Tinubu wonderful policies.”
oteessolutions1, wrote, “You actually sound like you’re depressed and having anxiety problems.”
TimedFrank, wondered if the pressure of the work is getting on Onanuga. “And 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.”
Djokaymegamixer, wondered why the President did not hand over to Kashim Shettima, his vice. He wrote, “..and because Nigeria is the President’s private estate, there was no need to hand over power to his vice while he was proceeding on leave. Was a leave not supposed to be for someone who works?”
Morris_Monye wrote, “Mr. Bayo Onanuga saying the President can go anywhere he likes and do whatever he pleases during his leave is a big slap on Nigerians
“Is it not the country’s Jet, fuel, resources that he is using for his personal leave?
“Did he use his personal jet or fly first class?
“It is still our resources paid by taxpayers fund that he’s doing all that.
“There needs to be maturity in speaking to Nigerians.”