Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s Special Assistant on Public Communication, Frank Shaibu, has criticized President Bola Tinubu’s spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, for praising his principal over the national honors after his role in securing democracy and fighting to have the June 12 election results revoked.
In response to Onanuga’s 𝕏 post, Shaibu reportedly reminded him of his opposition to military rule and his willingness to speak truth to power.
But according to Atiku’s aide, Onanuga has chosen to back a government whose policies mirror the persecution he previously opposed, abandoning the honorable course of speaking up for the people.
Shaibu claims Onanuga spins propaganda for a government that rules with impunity, trivializes the pain of Nigerians, and mocks their anguish.
Despite initially supporting the battle for democracy, Onanuga has subsequently switched sides, according to Atiku’s assistant.
In his writing, “Dear Bayo, During the June 12 conflict, you might have participated in the media resistance through Tempo and TheNews. You spoke truth to authority and opposed military tyranny. History once set out a place for you among the democratic defenders because of it. You no longer follow that honorable path, though, today.
You now support a government whose policies mirror the identical oppression you previously opposed, rather than the people. You support policies that allow despotism, justify ineptitude, and worsen poverty. You make fun of Nigerians’ misery, justify it, and spread propaganda for a government that can rule without consequence. That was not the purpose of June 12.
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Therefore, I would like to know if you are deserving of being recognized as a June 12 hero.
“June 12 was a moral revolt, not just a date. Patriots’ sacrifice, the people’s will, and their refusal to submit to authoritarianism were all at stake. Its ideals must be upheld by those who are worthy of wearing its emblem, not only during the conflict but also after it is over and truth becomes inconvenient.
Is it possible for a man who today supports oppression to be considered an oppressed person? Is it possible to praise someone who justifies injustice on the altar of justice?
The memory of Alfred Rewane, Shehu Musa Yar’Adua, Kudirat Abiola, and the millions who longed for a better Nigeria would be desecrated if you were rewarded with a CON under the June 12 banner. Bayo, you may have been on one side of the battle in the start, but now you’re on the other side.
Honor is about where you stand when it counts most, not just where you stood in the past. And you are standing against the people today, not with them. Instead of wearing a national distinction, you ought to wear a badge of betrayal.
