Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, has alleged that recent criticisms of the Tinubu administration, particularly from Northern groups, are rooted in ethnic bias rather than facts.

Onanuga dismissed claims of marginalisation by the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) as politically motivated lies aimed at discrediting a Southern President.

Onanuga urged Northern political leaders to allow Tinubu to enjoy his tenure, just as Southerners waited patiently during the eight years of former President Muhammadu Buhari.

“This President is a Nigerian. He deserves the same two terms that Buhari had. Let’s not sacrifice the country for personal ambition,” he said while speaking during an interview with Daily Trust.

The Presidential aide accused some Northern elites of attempting to create division under the guise of regional marginalisation, describing the ACF’s position as a veiled attempt to undermine the Southern presidency.

‘Appointments Not Lopsided, Show Us the Data’

Addressing accusations that federal appointments have been skewed in favour of the South-West, Onanuga challenged critics to back their claims with verifiable data.

“You need to get your statistics right. It’s all political mischief designed to undermine the President,” he said.

He noted that key appointments in the security architecture are currently held by Northerners, including the National Security Adviser, Chief of Defence Staff, and both Defence Ministers.

Infrastructure Complaints Are National, Not Northern

Onanuga also pushed back against complaints about poor infrastructure in the North, insisting that road deterioration is a nationwide issue.

“There are bad roads across the country, not just in the North,” he stressed, noting that the Tinubu administration inherited numerous abandoned or incomplete projects from previous governments.

Highlighting improvements in national security, the presidential spokesman cited better safety along previously dangerous routes.

“Places like Birnin Gwari and Igabi (in Kaduna) are now safer. I drove from Kaduna to Abuja without incident, a journey that was once unthinkable,” he said.

Onanuga urged Nigerians to look beyond ethnic sentiments and support the President’s efforts to deliver good governance.

“Let’s put Nigeria first. The President is working to address the country’s challenges, security, economy, and infrastructure, and everyone should support that,” he concluded.