President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, has told opposition figure Peter Obi that the government will not forgive him
The presidency took exception to Obi’s remarks, interpreted as welcoming possible United States military action in Nigeria
Onanuga made the comments in a quoted X post, referring to a video in which Obi was heard welcoming Trump’s invasion threat
The Bola Tinubu-led Presidency has strongly condemned former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi for endorsing a “foreign invasion” of Nigeria.
This was sequel to Obi’s remarks about American President Donald Trump’s threat to deploy U.S. military forces to fight terrorists in Nigeria.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, said, “We shall never forget and forgive Peter Obi for supporting a foreign invasion of Nigeria.”
Onanuga’s comment came in response to remarks Obi made at an event, where he condemned the Nigerian government for downplaying alleged “Christian genocide” and the deteriorating insecurity in the country.
Obi had said, “It is not genocide, it is not this, but me, we are not safe, come and help. Somebody offered you something you have been looking for, and you are saying no.”
Alluding, Obi added, “Somebody finds out that Peter Obi and his family have not eaten in the morning or one of the afternoon and the person is offering food and you are saying no, collect the food first and then you will know how you can ration it.
“That is what it is. That is my reaction. That is what I will do. If by today you declare me president, the number one priority is the security of life and property.
“Number two priority is to put people out of poverty, because the more you put people out of poverty, the more you reduce criminality.
“Number three is to invest in Education. It is critical for basic education. There are millions of people out of school today.”
According to the former governor of Anambra state, “A child that is five years old or 10 years old today that you did not educate will become a terrorist and a problem to you in 20 years’ time. Invest in him now that you have the opportunity.
“Invest in health. All these people moving around stealing public funds, they don’t need it. They are only bringing headaches to your life.
“That is my reaction to Trump. For me, it is a welcome speech that I would have been begging him…”
The row comes amid a broader international controversy after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened military action in Nigeria, citing what he described as large-scale killings of Christians in the country.
Recall that on Friday, October 31, 2025, Trump announced the U.S. redesignated of Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern (CPC)” over alleged ongoing “Christian genocide” in the country.
The U.S. president also warned that the Nigerian government must “better move fast” and bring insecurity in the country to an end or risk the withdrawal of all American aid and assistance.
Trump further threatened to deploy the U.S. Department of War to “fight the terrorists that attack our cherished Christians.”
The Nigerian presidency has since reacted, stating that President Bola Tinubu and Trump would meet to discuss the allegations surrounding the purported Christian genocide and the implications of the U.S. decision.
