Presidential aide Bayo Onanuga has criticised Peter Obi over his clarification of comments about Nigerians living abroad, insisting that the former Anambra governor’s explanation did not change the meaning of his original remarks. In a separate development, Onanuga has called for the death penalty for counterfeiters following the discovery of a suspected fake alcoholic drinks production facility in Aba, Abia State.
Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, has challenged the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, over his explanation of remarks concerning Nigerians in the diaspora.
Onanuga, in a post on his X account, accused Obi of failing to adequately clarify his earlier comments, insisting that political opponents had not misrepresented his message.
“Mr Peter Obi, you failed to clarify your Manchester callous statement. Nobody twisted your statement. Thank you for affirming it again,” Onanuga wrote.
The reaction followed Obi’s clarification on X, where the former Anambra State governor maintained that his comments about Nigerians living abroad had been distorted by political opponents.
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Obi had expressed appreciation to Nigerians in the diaspora for their sacrifices and financial contributions to families back home, acknowledging the important role their remittances play in supporting households across the country.
According to him, money sent home by Nigerians abroad helps relatives meet essential needs, including school fees, hospital bills, rent and feeding.
The former presidential candidate stressed that he never called on Nigerians living overseas to abandon their families or withdraw the support they provide to loved ones in Nigeria.
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Rather, he said his concern was that millions of Nigerians remained dependent on relatives abroad to meet basic needs, a situation he believes reflects the country’s broader economic and social challenges.
“Our goal must be to build a nation that provides jobs, affordable healthcare, quality education, and economic opportunities for its citizens,” Obi wrote.
He argued that Nigeria should create an environment where citizens can earn a decent living and access essential services without relying heavily on financial assistance from family members living overseas.
Obi also accused political opponents of distorting his message, insisting that his position was centred on the need for a country that takes responsibility for the welfare of its citizens.
“Political opponents may twist my message, but the truth remains clear: I am not asking Nigerians abroad to abandon their families. I am advocating for a Nigeria that will no longer abandon its own people,” he said.
However, Onanuga rejected the explanation, maintaining that Obi’s clarification did not resolve the controversy surrounding the remarks made in Manchester.
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The exchange has brought renewed attention to the debate over diaspora remittances, economic hardship and the responsibility of government to provide jobs and essential services for Nigerians.
Onanuga demands death penalty for counterfeiters
In a separate development, Onanuga has called for the death penalty for counterfeiters following the discovery of a suspected counterfeit alcoholic drinks production facility in Aba, Abia State.
The presidential aide reacted to the discovery by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) of the suspected facility located at No. 25 Omenazu Street, Aba.
Expressing outrage over the suspected counterfeiting operation, Onanuga condemned those involved and argued that severe punishment was necessary to deter similar activities.
“These counterfeiters certainly have no conscience. Until we start imposing a death penalty on them, they will never stop their nefarious activities,” he wrote.
His comments reflect concerns about the potential dangers posed by counterfeit alcoholic beverages, which may contain unsafe ingredients or fail to meet established quality and safety standards.
The production and distribution of fake alcoholic drinks can expose consumers to serious health risks, while also undermining legitimate manufacturers and government efforts to regulate the food and beverage industry.
NAFDAC is responsible for regulating and controlling the manufacture, importation, exportation, distribution, advertisement, sale and use of food, drugs and other regulated products in Nigeria.
The discovery in Aba has once again drawn attention to the challenges facing regulatory authorities in tackling the production and circulation of suspected counterfeit products.
While Onanuga advocated the death penalty for those involved, any punishment for suspected offenders would be determined through applicable Nigerian laws and due legal process.
The two developments have placed Onanuga at the centre of separate public debates: one concerning Obi’s comments on the Nigerian diaspora and the country’s economic challenges, and another concerning the appropriate punishment for those involved in the production and distribution of counterfeit alcoholic beverages.
