….. Says It’s time for him to consider retirement from politics
In a scathing post on his verified X account on Friday, Bayo Onanuga, Special Advisers to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, aimed jabs at former Vice President Atiku Abubakar following the defection of Adamawa State Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Onanuga described the move as a “big blow” to Atiku’s political ambitions, effectively handing over the opposition leader’s home base to President Bola Tinubu’s ruling party.
In his post titled “Big Blow for Atiku in Adamawa: Fintiri joins APC, making Tinubu’s party a juggernaut in the state,” Onanuga detailed the defection’s far-reaching implications.
“Adamawa Governor Umaru Fintiri joins the All Progressives Congress, APC, taking away Abubakar Atiku’s entire home base to President Tinubu’s party,” he wrote.
Onanuga noted that Fintiri made the announcement “in a broadcast on Friday,” emphasizing that the governor did not defect alone.
“He also announced that he has not left his former party, the PDP, alone. All members of his cabinet, lawmakers and other PDP officials in the state moved with him to the APC, thus fortifying the APC’s advantage and presence in the state,” Onanuga added.
The presidential aide quoted Fintiri as saying he defected “in the ‘developmental interest’ of the people of Adamawa State.”
The defection comes at a critical time, with Nigeria’s next presidential election less than a year away in 2027.
Onanuga used the opportunity to take pointed jabs at Atiku, as a perennial presidential contender who hails from Adamawa and ran unsuccessfully in the 2023 polls.
“With the presidential election less than a year away, Fintiri’s defection is surely a big blow to veteran presidential runner Atiku Abubakar,” Onanuga stated.
He further criticized Atiku’s standing in his home state, noting, “His ADC is largely unknown in the state. He certainly needs to reassess his ambition, as his governor has turned the APC into an Adamawa juggernaut.”
Onanuga’s commentary grew even more personal as he raced to the end of his post, questioning Atiku’s viability as a national candidate.
“If a politician is not so popular at home, he has no business selling his candidacy to outsiders,” he wrote, concluding with a suggestion that Atiku should bow out of politics entirely. “The time is nigh for Atiku to consider retiring from politics and going to his second home in Dubai.”
The post has sparked reactions across social media, highlighting the deepening divisions within Nigeria’s political landscape as parties jostle for dominance ahead of the 2027 elections.
Fintiri’s defection, marks a significant shift in Adamawa’s political allegiance, bolstering the APC’s control in the northeastern state where Atiku has long held influence.
Neither Fintiri’s office nor Atiku’s camp has immediately responded to requests for comment on Onanuga’s remarks.
As the dust settles, analysts suggest this could reshape alliances and force Atiku to rethink his strategy for any potential future bid.
