Politics

Onanuga Slams ADC Coalition, Labels Members ‘Desperados’ United Against Tinubu

ByTitilope Adako

PublishedJuly 3, 2025

Presidential aide Bayo Onanuga has described opposition politicians who recently aligned with the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as “desperados” driven solely by hatred for President Bola Tinubu.

In a post on X, on Thursday, Onanuga, who serves as Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to President Tinubu, claimed the defectors from the All Progressives Congress (APC) are “hungry for power” and lack any unifying ideology beyond their resentment for the President.

His comments follow the official unveiling of the ADC as a coalition platform for the 2027 general elections, where former Senate President David Mark and ex-Osun governor Rauf Aregbesola were named interim chairman and secretary respectively.

Those present at the event included Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Aminu Tambuwal, Rotimi Amaechi, Solomon Dalung, John Odigie Oyegun, Abubakar Malami, Dino Melaye, Dele Momodu, Eyinnanya Abaribe, Gabriel Suswam, Ireti Kingibe, Elisha Abbo, Uche Secondus, Victor Umeh, Lauretta Onochie, Bolaji Abdullahi and others.

Onanuga dismissed their relevance to the ruling party, saying, “Rotimi Amaechi’s soul left the APC in 2022 after losing the presidential primary to President Tinubu.

“Abubakar Malami, the former Attorney-General, has never hidden his estrangement from the APC since Tinubu assumed leadership and since he lost the governorship bid in Kebbi.

“Hadi Sirika, now with the ADC, is facing trial for contract splitting and other allegations.

“The renegade Rauf Aregbesola committed anti-party in the last Osun election and was expelled as an unfit APC member.

“Kashim Imam and the octogenarian Chief John Odigie Oyegun are among the disgruntled politicians posturing as would-be saviours of Nigeria.

“Imam abandoned the APC after failing to secure the vice-presidential ticket in 2022.

“Chief Oyegun, a former party chairman, also lost interest in the APC and has been a foundational member of this coalition since its inception.

“My advice to Nigerians: Shine your eyes very well. A political party with no clear agenda or ideology — whose members are united only by their hatred for President Tinubu — can not be good for our country. It will only set us back by decades. These politicians are desperados, hungry for power — not for the benefit of Nigerians but for themselves.”

Titilope Adako

Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.