Lawal

Planned nationwide protest: Anyone calling for Obi’s arrest doesn’t mean well for Tinubu – Ex-SGF, Babachir Lawal

…Calls for Onanuga’s sack 

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Babachir David Lawal, a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, has said arresting Peter Gregory Obi, the former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, LP, on the alleged sponsorship of the planned nationwide protests by some aggrieved Nigerians would have grave consequences.

Lawal warned that the Federal Government would not be capable of dealing with the consequences of such an action.

He told Newsmen that the allegations by Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu’s media aide, that Obi and the Obidient Movement were sponsoring the #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria nationwide protests were false.

Furthermore, the former SGS that using force against the protesters could be a “catalyst for chaos”.

“Bola Tinubu should not use a forceful approach with the protesters. They mean well for the country. If they go out to protest and there is an attempt to forcefully stop them, that will be the catalyst for chaos,” Lawal said.

“Tinubu should remove Bayo Onanuga from his position because he doesn’t mean well for his government. His outbursts are inflaming Nigerians rather than pacifying them. When you are in government, you don’t insult the people.

“I don’t know if Onanuga was the spokesman of the Motor Park Touts Association before he got his current appointment. They said he is educated, but it doesn’t show in his behavior. He has an in-built disdain for people, and it shows in the way he talks.

“I don’t expect a presidential spokesman to come out and say the planned protest is being organized by Peter Obi. If Obi had the character that Onanuga is ascribing to him, this government would have been down a long time ago.

“How can you say Obi has anything to do with the protest? Even to complain, Obi will not let you accompany him.

“It is one of the reasons why some of us just kept away from him. When you insult him, he will not reply. He will just go about doing his own business.

“Let them arrest him if that is their plan and see the consequences. I know that is what Onanuga is working towards. Anyone asking Tinubu to arrest Peter Obi doesn’t mean well for him. It is like they took cyanide with their own hands and swallowed it.

“I really don’t know what Onanuga’s problem with Igbos is. Igbos are good people. They are our classmates from primary, secondary schools to university. They are our business partners; they are our neighbors.

“We buy things from them. An Igbo man in my village is the one selling local gin (ogogoro). He left his village and settled down in my village. He is married and has farmlands.”

Lawal noted that President Tinubu is a nice man surrounded by sycophants and reiterated his warning against the use of force on the protesters.

“Tinubu is a good man, nationwide protest tagged like Onanuga who will not tell him the truth.

“Bola Tinubu should not use a forceful approach with the protesters. They mean well for the country. If they go out to protest and there is an attempt to forcefully stop them, that will be the catalyst for chaos.

“Tinubu should remove Bayo Onanuga from his position because he doesn’t mean well for his government. His outbursts are inflaming Nigerians rather than pacifying them. When you are in government, you don’t insult the people.

“I don’t know if Onanuga was the spokesman of the Motor Park Touts Association before he got his current appointment. They said he is educated, but it doesn’t show in his behavior. He has an in-built disdain for people, and it shows in the way he talks.”

He exonerated Obi of any involvement with the planned protests, saying such is not in his character.

“I don’t expect a presidential spokesman to come out and say the planned protest is being organised by Peter Obi. If Obi had the character that Onanuga is ascribing to him, this government would have been down a long time ago.

“How can you say Obi has anything to do with the protest? Even to complain, Obi will not let you accompany him.

“It is one of the reasons why some of us just kept away from him. When you insult him, he will not reply. He will just go about doing his own business.

“Let them arrest him if that is their plan and see the consequences. I know that is what Onanuga is working towards. Anyone asking Tinubu to arrest Peter Obi doesn’t mean well for him. It is like they took cyanide with their own hands and swallowed it.”

Lawal expressed concern about Onanuga’s hatred for the Igbo, wondering what could be the cause.

“I really don’t know what Onanuga’s problem with Igbo is. Igbo are good people. They are our classmates from primary, secondary schools to university. They are our business partners; they are our neighbours.

“We buy things from them. An Igbo man in my village is the one selling local gin (ogogoro). He left his village and settled down in my village. He is married and has farmlands.”