…Says, he lacks proper yoruba home training

A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Bode George, has taken a swipe at Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Information and Strategy, over what he described as unhealthy and disrespectful attacks at former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

Bode George noted that such attacks by Onanuga on an elder and a notable leader in Nigeria were at variance with Yoruba cultural values that emphasize reverence for elders.

Former President Obasanjo while speaking at the Chinua Achebe Leadership Forum at Yale University on November 16, criticized Nigeria’s 2023 general elections, saying that there were “travesty.”

Obasanjo also said that Nigeria’s underdevelopment was as a result of corruption, poor leadership, and a lack of moral values, as well as the inefficiency of successive administrations. The former president therefore called for critical reforms in the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to rebuild public trust.

However, Onanuga quickly took to his X handle and accused Obasanjo of hypocrisy, saying that the former president oversaw what is widely considered as one of Nigeria’s most fraudulent elections during his tenure.

Onanuga also said that Obasanjo failed to address several key national issues for which subsequent administrations contended with as a result of the consequences of his poor economic policies.

Taking a critical look at the attacks on Obasanjo by Onanuga, the former Deputy National Chairman of the PDP, Chief Bode George, said that the presidential aide’s attacks on the former president was in bad taste and totally uncalled for.

George, who stated this during an interview with Nigeria Info FM, said that Onanuga’s tone and action were totally outside the Yoruba traditions which discouraged insults toward elders, regardless of differences in opinion.

George specifically said that Obasanjo, as a senior statesman, and an elderly man who could be Onanuga’s father, deserved respect, even in disagreement.

In the words of George; “An old man who could be Bayo Onanuga’s father said something, and you blasted him right, left, and centre.

“Yoruba culture does not permit such behavior. There is always a day after, and that is more important. Bayo Onanuga should be vigilant,” he stressed.

George also noted a previous instance where Onanuga allegedly disrespected him, adding that the presidential aide has a history of attacking individuals with differing opinions and therefore counselled Onanuga to be mindful of his actions.