Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to President Bola Tinubu, took a swipe at former Vice President Atiku Abubakar on Thursday, describing him as a “loser” with a “bleak” political future.
Onanuga’s mockery came following a string of defections from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
This was particularly following the defection of Atiku’s 2023 presidential running mate and former Governor of Delta State, Ifeanyi Okowa, and a host of other PDP members in Delta state.
In a pointed post on his verified X (formerly Twitter) account, Onanuga ridiculed Atiku’s recent political maneuvers and questioned the viability of the coalition the former PDP presidential candidate is reportedly attempting to build.
“Atiku’s political future looks bleak,” Onanuga wrote. “The coalition that he, El Rufai, Babachir, and new member Baba-Ahmed are cobbling together has disintegrated.
“Potential allies, including former running mate Ifeanyi Okowa and defunct CPC members, are giving his leprous group a wide berth. Atiku is a loser again.”
The recent mass defection from the PDP to the ruling APC has sent ripples through Nigeria’s political landscape, signalling a potential shift in power dynamics ahead of the 2027 elections.
Atiku, a serial presidential contender, despite his long-standing presence in national politics and substantial support in key regions, was defeated by President Bola Tinubu of the APC in the 2023 general election.
Over the years, Atiku has developed a reputation for switching political parties and forging new alliances to bolster his ambitions.
However, recent developments suggest a diminishing influence, with former allies either defecting or distancing themselves from his camp.
The mention of the former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, Babachir Lawal, and Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, figures previously associated with various strands of opposition politics, highlights ongoing efforts to mount a unified challenge against the APC.
Yet Onanuga’s remarks imply that those efforts are faltering.
The defection of Okowa, in particular, is being viewed as a symbolic blow to Atiku’s credibility as a national unifier.
The APC has continued to consolidate power, leveraging the influence of incumbency and exploiting fractures within rival parties.
As Nigeria looks ahead to the next general election cycle, questions remain about whether Atiku will make yet another bid for the presidency or step back amid growing signs that his political star may be fading.
