Bayo Onanuga, a presidential aide, reveals that President Bola Tinubu was singled out by the opposition, including Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi, during the 2023 presidential campaign due to his strong position as the favored candidate.
Onanuga asserts that the opposition perceived Tinubu as the man to beat in the election, given that the All Progressives Congress (APC) was united and in control of 21 states.
He highlights that the APC, unlike the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), was not divided, and Tinubu had the backing of all governors elected on the party’s platform.
During an interview with Nigerian Tribune, Onanuga explains that false claims, including rumors about Tinubu’s health and ability to communicate, were propagated by the opposition to tarnish his image.
The presidential aide points out that supporters of Peter Obi, known as the “Obidient Movement,” were instrumental in spreading false narratives about Tinubu, including allegations about his academic records and drug trafficking.
He addresses the controversy surrounding Tinubu’s academic records from Chicago State University, highlighting a deposition by Caleb Westberg, the university’s registrar, who clarified that Tinubu’s certificate was not declared a forgery.
Onanuga criticizes the opposition for disregarding key facts and perpetuating false information to influence public opinion.
