Onanuga says Aregbesola lacks credibility to criticise Tinubu...

Former Nigerian Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Factional ADC Chairman David Mark look on at party's convention in Abuja

The Nigerian presidency on Tuesday criticised former Interior Minister Rauf Aregbesola over comments made at an African Democratic Congress (ADC) convention, describing his remarks against President Bola Tinubu’s administration as hypocritical and unfounded.

In a statement, presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga said Aregbesola’s record in public office, both as governor of Osun State and as minister, undermined his credibility to criticise the current administration.

Onanuga said Aregbesola’s tenure as Osun governor was marked by economic hardship, including unpaid salaries and pensions, which he said caused widespread suffering among civil servants and retirees.

He added that subsequent administrations in the state had been left to address the financial challenges inherited from that period.

The presidency also faulted Aregbesola’s performance as interior minister between 2019 and 2023, citing multiple jailbreaks and security lapses, including attacks on correctional facilities that led to thousands of inmates escaping.

“For someone who failed to secure correctional centres, it is ironic he now seeks to criticise efforts on insecurity,” the statement said.

Onanuga accused opposition politicians of exploiting security challenges and economic difficulties without offering concrete policy alternatives.

He said the Tinubu administration had acknowledged the impact of its reforms but had introduced measures to cushion the effects, including wage increases, cash transfers and support for small businesses.

According to him, inflation has declined significantly, while economic indicators such as foreign reserves and investor confidence have improved.

The presidency added that the government was continuing to invest in security, including support for the military and intelligence agencies, as part of efforts to tackle terrorism and banditry.

Onanuga said the administration’s “Renewed Hope” agenda remained on course and dismissed claims that it lacked substance.

Former Minister of Interior and National Secretary of the African Democratic Congress, Rauf Aregbesola, has called on President Bola Tinubu to resign over worsening insecurity and economic hardship in Nigeria.

He also described President Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope” agenda as a scam.

Aregbesola.