A senior aide to the President, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, has accused former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi of exacerbating ethnic and religious tensions to further his political agenda.
He said the action marks a concerning departure from previous election campaigns in Nigeria.
Onanuga made these remarks during an interview on the live podcast ‘Mic On’ hosted by Seun Okinbaloye.
According to Onanuga, Obi’s campaign tactics introduced a dangerous precedent in Nigerian politics by stoking ethnic and religious sentiments.
He highlighted the detrimental impact of such divisive strategies on the electoral process and national unity, emphasizing the need for responsible and inclusive political discourse.
In response to criticisms regarding the selection of his running mate, Onanuga clarified that the President’s decision was not based on religious considerations.
He cited the example of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, who did not opt for a Muslim-Muslim ticket yet faced challenges in retaining political support in certain regions, debunking the notion that religious affiliations guaranteed electoral success.
Meanwhile, recent dissatisfaction among certain Muslim groups, including the Supreme Council on Islamic Sharia in Nigeria (SCSN), has surfaced, with the council withdrawing its support for President Tinubu’s administration.
The Secretary-General of SCSN, Nafiu Baba Ahmed, expressed disappointment over perceived neglect of Muslim interests and marginalization within the government despite their pivotal role in securing electoral victory.
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