Controversy erupted on social media as Nigerians took to X on Saturday to express their discontent with Bayo Onanuga, the presidential spokesman, following his comments regarding President Bola Tinubu’s travels.
The backlash was triggered by an earlier statement from the senior special assistant to the president on political matters, Ibrahim Kabir Masari, revealing that President Tinubu had left the United Kingdom, where he was initially scheduled for a two-week vacation, for Paris, France.
In response to the unfolding situation, Onanuga tweeted, “President Tinubu is on leave for two weeks. He is not restricted to the UK. It is his private time. He can go anywhere he so desires. He is still observing his leave.”
However, this remark did not resonate well with many Nigerians, who criticized him for overlooking the fact that the president’s trips are funded by taxpayers.
Social media users quickly pointed out that while Tinubu may have the liberty to travel, the use of public funds for personal vacations raises concerns about transparency and accountability in government spending.
See some reactions below:
An X user, @OfficiaEdoOsasB, wrote, “UK prime minister always hangout in Ikoyi and banana Island for his holiday. Nigerians should take a chill pill and enjoy Tinubu wonderful policies.”
Another X user, @oteessolutions1, wrote, “You actually sound like you’re depressed and having anxiety problems.”
@TimedFrank, wondered if the pressure of the work is getting on Onanuga. “And who’s fighting with you? Why this combative tone? Is the pressure getting to you? Take it easy abeg. Oya clean the sweat from your forehead and relax.”
An X user, @djokaymegamixer, wondered why the President did not hand over to Kashim Shettima, his vice. He wrote, “..and because Nigeria is the president’s private estate, there was no need to hand over power to his vice while he was proceeding on leave. Was a leave not supposed to be for someone who works?”
@Morris_Monye wrote, “Mr. Bayo Onanuga saying the President can go anywhere he likes and do whatever he pleases during his leave is a big slap on Nigerians
“Is it not the country’s Jet, fuel, resources that he is using for his personal leave?
“Did he use his personal jet or fly first class?
“It is still our resources paid by taxpayers fund that he’s doing all that.
“There needs to be maturity in speaking to Nigerians.”
@Udoh_D wrote, “Is he using his private jet to travel around the globe on his private time, or is he spending government money?”
@belloinuwa stated, “Serious lack of emotional intelligence and empathy from this handle seeing how his reckless economic policies have unleashed hardship on Nigerians.
“For now, with what’s happening in Nigeria, he has no “private time”, and he can’t go “anywhere he desires” while Nigerians are undergoing such hardships.
“You may have an axe to grind with his political opponents, but remember that most people that read what you write are struggling ordinary citizens just trying to survive. You are doing more harm than good and are sustaining the impression of Mr President being out of touch with his people.”
