The Presidency has issued a stern warning to Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume, representing Borno South Senatorial District, against making what it described as "reckless statements" on television regarding President Bola Tinubu's administration.
According to the Presidency, such unguarded utterances have diminished the former Senate Chief Whip's standing among "right-thinking persons."
Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, responded sharply to Ndume's allegations that a cabal has hijacked Tinubu's government and that "kleptocrats and kakistocrats" dominate the administration.
Presidency Demands Evidence
Onanuga accused the senator of making sweeping statements without providing any evidence to support his claims.
"Ndume is entitled to his opinion, as a lone-wolf opposition within the APC, though he most often gets his facts wrong or builds his thesis on a specious, faulty foundation," Onanuga stated.
"Like he lied about General Buratai being ambushed by terrorists. A ranking Senator making reckless statement on TV cannot command the respect of any right thinking person," he added.
Defense of Tinubu's Administration
The presidential aide questioned Ndume's understanding of the terminology he used in his criticism. "Kakistocrats? Does he know the word's meaning, or does he just like bandying terms?" Onanuga asked.
Defending the current administration, Onanuga emphasized that President Tinubu has surrounded himself with competent officials who were "accomplished professionals before coming to work for the government."
"And they are doing a damn good job, reengineering the country's economy to ensure it is put on a solid foundation for sustainable growth," he asserted.
This exchange highlights growing tensions within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), with Senator Ndume emerging as an internal critic of certain aspects of the Tinubu administration despite being a member of the same party.
The senator has previously made headlines for comments about hardship in the country and claims that the president is disconnected from the realities facing ordinary Nigerians.
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