The Igboezue International Association Nigeria and the Diaspora (IIAND) has urged the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, to hold his boss accountable rather than blaming the Presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Mr. Peter Obi, and other Nigerians for the planned #EndBadGovernance protest.
IIAND has criticized Onanuga, describing him as a man who should be educating Nigerians, rather than making baseless allegations against notable figures since the youth announced their intention to protest against the government’s alleged inefficiency in addressing the grievances of Nigerians.
Speaking through its National President, Chief Pius Okoye, IIAND expressed regret that a man of Onanuga’s status would disseminate false information about individuals such as Mr. Peter Obi and Prof. Pat Utomi. These two Nigerians, who are of Igbo descent, are known for their impeccable character and humble lifestyles. The group suggested that Onanuga should feel ashamed of his alleged uncouth behavior.
According to the group, “This is a man we have so much respect for following his foray in the media industry. We have been wondering why The News Magazine went down, and we can now understand why. Onanuga, with his recent unguarded comments, has just told Nigerians that his defunct magazine was chunking out lies and falsehood to deceive Nigerians and make himself relevant, and that is why the magazine did not go far and went down suddenly.”
The group further stated, “While we appreciate what hunger can do to people’s sense of reasoning and social status, we did not expect that a person of Onanuga’s status, who was respected in the media world, would descend so low in an attempt to launder the image of a non-performing and failing government that he is serving. While we also appreciate loyalty in service, we expect that people serving in government should display decorum. We also expect that when people known as journalists are serving the government, they are expected to serve with honesty and advise their bosses well so that they will not find themselves in the situation Onanuga has found himself in, resorting to name-calling and turning himself into an attack dog for his boss’s lackluster performance in office.”
Chief Pius Okoye elaborated on the organization’s observations about Onanuga, stating, “We have been watching with interest the antecedents of the man called Bayo Onanuga and have discovered that he, Onanuga, has unbridled and unrepentant hatred for Ndigbo. He has shown it almost in everything he has done and is still doing in Nigeria.”
Okoye emphasized that IIAND is not encouraging any Igbo person to participate in the planned #EndBadGovernance protest. Igbo leaders and organizations have made it clear through calls and statements that Ndigbo should not join the protest against the current administration. Instead, IIAND urged Onanuga to direct his criticism towards his boss for the administration’s failures, rather than pointing accusatory fingers at innocent figures like Obi, Utomi, and other Nigerians.
The group issued a stern warning to Onanuga, stating, “We are therefore, warning Onanuga to stop further spreading of fake news against the persons of Mr. Peter Obi and Mr. Pat Utomi, and dissipate action in finding solutions for his boss’s misrule that is causing anger among Nigerian youths and other citizens who are planning to stage the protest against his government.”
The statement highlighted the organization’s disappointment in Onanuga’s behavior and reiterated their respect for the individuals he has targeted with his allegations. The group’s stance reflects a broader frustration with the current administration’s performance and a call for accountability from those in positions of influence and power.
IIAND’s criticism of Onanuga also touched on the issue of loyalty within government service. The organization acknowledged the importance of loyalty but stressed that it should not come at the expense of honesty and integrity. They believe that those serving in the government, especially those with a background in journalism, should maintain a high standard of ethical conduct and provide truthful advice to their superiors.
The group’s remarks about Onanuga’s past involvement with The News Magazine provide context for their current criticism. They suggest that his past actions may have been indicative of a pattern of behavior that has continued into his current role. The failure of the magazine, according to IIAND, can be attributed to the dissemination of false information and a lack of credibility, which they see as being mirrored in Onanuga’s recent statements.
In their statement, IIAND also touched on the broader issue of fake news and misinformation. They condemned Onanuga’s alleged actions as contributing to a culture of deception and called for a commitment to truthfulness and integrity in public discourse. The organization’s stance reflects a broader concern about the impact of misinformation on public trust and the importance of holding public figures accountable for their words and actions.
The call for Onanuga to redirect his criticisms towards his boss instead of innocent individuals highlights IIAND’s belief in the importance of accountability at the highest levels of government. They see the planned #EndBadGovernance protest as a response to legitimate grievances and urge those in power to address these issues directly rather than deflecting blame onto others.
IIAND’s statement is a strong rebuke of Onanuga’s actions and a call for a return to ethical standards in public service and journalism. The organization’s criticisms reflect a deep frustration with the current state of governance in Nigeria and a desire for greater accountability and integrity from those in positions of power.
