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Special adviser of President Bola Tinubu in Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga has dismissed the African Democratic Congress, ADC, as a gathering of “desperate politicians” without a clear national agenda.
Onanuga spoke while reacting to ADC chieftain Rauf Aregbesola’s criticism of Tinubu’s government during the party’s National Convention in Abuja on Tuesday.
The Eastern Updates earlier reported that the National Secretary of the ADC, Aregbesola, described the APC-led administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda as a “classic scam”.
Read Also: Renewed Hope Agenda A Scam, Tinubu Should Resign – Aregbesola
Reacting to this in a post shared on his X handle, Onanuga wrote “No, Rauf. The real scammers are the politicians inside the SPV called ADC.”
Onanuga accused Aregbesola of repeating opposition talking points and attempting to distort the government’s record.
He said “At the event, Aregbesola reportedly called on his former boss, mentor, and benefactor to resign, parroting the opposition’s warped narratives about the economy and orchestrated reports of terrorist attacks in some parts of the country.”
He also criticised Aregbesola for what he described as a refusal to reflect on his own time in public office.
“His eight years as governor of Osun State were characterised by unmitigated hardship for the people civil servants went unpaid for months, and pensioners suffered greatly.”
Speaking on Aregbesola tenure as Minister of Interior, Onanuga said, “During his four years, obtaining a Nigerian passport became a nightmarish process, and there were multiple jailbreaks, including the infamous Kuje prison escape.”
He argued that it was “ironic” for Aregbesola to now speak on insecurity, saying, “For someone who failed so woefully to secure our correctional centres. it is ironic that Aregbesola now seeks to lecture others on insecurity.”
Defending the current administration, Onanuga stated: “The Tinubu administration has never shied away from acknowledging that policy reforms have brought unintended consequences but we have introduced numerous relief measures, including cash transfers and support for small businesses.”
He further added that economic indicators were improving under the reforms. “We have seen increased GDP, stronger foreign reserves, and a bullish stock market reflecting growing investor confidence.”
“The Renewed Hope Agenda is not a scam,” Onanuga insisted.
The National Secretary of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, Rauf Aregbesola, launched a stern attack on the All Progressives Congres, APC, administration, describing its Renewed Hope Agenda as a “classic scam”.
Speaking at the ongoing ADC National Convention in Abuja on Tuesday, the former Minister of Interior called on President Bola Tinubu to resign, citing worsening insecurity and economic hardship across the country.
Aregbesola accused the APC government of mismanaging the economy and failing to deliver on key promises.
According to him, the naira has significantly depreciated since 2023, while fuel prices have surged, placing severe strain on Nigerians.
“When exactly will this hope come to fruition? The answer is simple. It is a scam. The answer is what? A scam! If allowed, this regime will continue shouting renewed hope into eternity. We have the duty to stop scammers from retaining power,” he declared.
The former Osun State governor also criticised the government’s handling of electricity supply, claiming that many parts of the country now receive only a few hours of power daily, with some communities experiencing prolonged blackouts.
He further alleged that the APC-led administration has normalised “criminality” within the electoral system and accused it of undermining democratic principles.
On security, Aregbesola condemned the rising wave of violent attacks nationwide, describing the situation as evidence of leadership failure.
“The administration told Nigerians that if it does not solve the power problem by providing a constant power supply, it should not be voted for a second time.
“Today, power supply is far worse with some parts of the country receiving an average of two hours daily. Some other parts also receive an average of two hours daily, while others have been in darkness for weeks and months.
“Ordinarily, having made such a promise and performed woefully, an honest president should simply step down and not seek re-election. Rather, what we are witnessing is the most desperate attempt by a candidate in Nigerian electoral history to retain power at all costs, even if it means undermining the entire democratic system.
“Distinguished delegates and our rival leaders, four years ago, this government promised Nigerians renewed hope for a better future. Now, three years into its four-year term, it still makes promises and offers renewed hope,” he added.
Aregbesola also raised concerns over increasing poverty levels and the growing number of out-of-school children.
Positioning the ADC as an alternative, Aregbesola said the party was on a “rescue mission” to reclaim Nigeria from what he described as the “strangulating grip” of the ruling party.
He urged Nigerians to support the ADC, warning that remaining neutral in the country’s current political climate amounts to complicity.
“We cannot allow this continued drift into hopelessness,” he said.
The African Democratic Congress, ADC, has announced a new venue for its National Convention, scheduled for Tuesday, 14th April, 2026.
According to a statement shared via the party’s official X handle on Monday, the convention is to hold at the Rainbow Event Center, at Area 8, Garki, Abuja.
The post reads: “Proposed Venue for the ADC National Convention, Rainbow Event Center, Plot 1193A, Off Southern Parkway, Garki Area 8, Abuja.
