Onanuga Hits Back at Tinubu’s Critics Over Independence Day Speech
Presidential aide Bayo Onanuga has criticised politicians who faulted President Bola Tinubu’s October 1 Independence Day address, accusing them of preparing their responses before listening to the speech.
In a post on X on Friday, October 2, Onanuga said the critics had overlooked the President’s defence of his economic reforms, particularly his argument that the policies were introduced to address longstanding weaknesses in Nigeria’s economy.
The exchange has added to the political debate surrounding Tinubu’s economic direction, the removal of fuel subsidies and whether Nigerians are beginning to experience the benefits of the government’s policies.
Onanuga says critics ignored key message
Onanuga argued that some politicians had already settled on their positions before Tinubu’s national broadcast was delivered on television and radio.
He described the President’s explanation of the reforms as an “immutable truth” that critics had allegedly ignored.
Quoting Tinubu, the presidential aide highlighted the President’s position that the reforms did not create Nigeria’s economic difficulties but were intended to confront them.
Tinubu had said:
“Our reforms did not create the weaknesses in our economy. They confronted them.”
The President also warned against calls to abandon the reforms and return to the previous subsidy system, describing such appeals as a “siren song” and subsidies as “addictive.”
His argument was that reversing the policies would risk restoring economic arrangements his administration considers unsustainable.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of Nigeria
Tinubu cites economic growth above 4%
A major part of Onanuga’s defence centred on Tinubu’s claim that Nigeria’s economy grew by more than four per cent in 2026.
In his Independence Day address, the President said both the oil and non-oil sectors contributed to the growth, which he described as evidence of renewed economic stability.
“Three and a half years later, the evidence that Nigeria’s economic outlook has improved is undeniable. Our economy has grown by over 4 per cent this year. Both oil and non-oil sectors have contributed to the renewed period of stable growth,” Tinubu said.
The growth figure is the President’s stated assessment in the address; the supplied material does not include independent data verifying the specific claim.
Tinubu’s broader message was that the country was moving from economic correction towards a phase focused on prosperity, production and improved living standards.
Tinubu Defends Fuel Subsidy Removal, Says Reversal Call Shows ‘Serious Ignorance’
Subsidy debate remains central
The President’s warning against returning to the subsidy regime reflects one of the most contested aspects of his administration’s economic programme.
The removal of petrol subsidies and other policy changes have been defended by the government as necessary to address structural economic problems.
However, the reforms have also remained a source of public and political debate, particularly over their effects on household purchasing power and the cost of living.
Onanuga’s response suggests the Presidency wants criticism of the reforms to engage directly with Tinubu’s argument about why they were introduced and what the administration says they have achieved.
From reform to prosperity
Tinubu’s October 1 address, delivered as Nigeria marked its 66th Independence Anniversary, was themed around a transition from reforms to prosperity.
The President argued that the government’s next priority should be translating economic adjustments into tangible improvements for Nigerians.
That includes addressing living costs, increasing production and supporting growth across the oil and non-oil sectors.
For Nigerians, the central test remains whether the economic improvements cited by the government will translate into more affordable goods, jobs, stronger purchasing power and better living conditions.
Onanuga’s intervention has defended the administration’s position, but the wider debate over the costs, results and long-term direction of the reforms is likely to continue.
Source: Bayo Onanuga’s October 2 X post and President Tinubu’s October 1 Independence Day address.
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