Former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi has described presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga as a liar while rejecting the claim that opposition politicians prepared their responses to President Bola Tinubu’s Independence Day broadcast before hearing the address.
Amaechi made the remarks during a television interview published on YouTube on Friday, October 3, 2026, while responding to Onanuga’s criticism of politicians who faulted Tinubu’s October 1 national broadcast.
Onanuga had accused some politicians who criticised the President’s address of preparing their reactions before the speech was delivered.
In a post on Friday, the presidential spokesman said the critics appeared to have settled on their responses before Tinubu’s address was broadcast and consequently failed to engage with what the President said.
Amaechi Rejects Onanuga’s Claim
Amaechi disputed the allegation, saying he and other opposition figures waited until Tinubu had completed his broadcast before discussing and responding to the issues raised in the speech.
According to the former minister, the group listened to the President’s address and had young people write down the contents before they discussed the speech.
“We waited for him to finish his broadcast. First, it would be disrespectful for us to speak before him.”
Amaechi said the group then examined the President’s statements and discussed their response after the broadcast had ended.
He added that the opposition already had its own proposals for addressing Nigeria’s challenges and therefore did not need to wait for the President’s speech before developing its policy positions.
“We already have our solutions in place,” Amaechi said, explaining that the Vice President would then have to respond to the issues raised in Tinubu’s address.
Amaechi Takes Issue With Onanuga’s Role
When asked specifically about Onanuga’s comments, Amaechi initially avoided directly engaging the presidential spokesman, referring to him as an elder in his tradition.
He nevertheless argued that public officials and spokespersons should remain accountable for statements they make.
Amaechi said serving as a presidential spokesperson was an important responsibility and argued that the position should not require an individual to defend statements they believe to be untrue.
He then used a hypothetical example involving a president who lies.
“If I become a president, for instance, and I’m a liar, you join me to tell Nigerians lies.”
The comment was made in the context of Amaechi’s argument about the responsibility of government spokespersons when communicating with the public.
What Onanuga Said About Tinubu’s Critics
Onanuga’s comments followed criticism of Tinubu’s October 1 Independence Day address.
The presidential aide said some politicians who criticised the broadcast appeared not to have properly read or listened to it before issuing their reactions.
Onanuga particularly highlighted Tinubu’s defence of the administration’s economic reforms.
The President had argued in his address that the reforms implemented since he took office did not create Nigeria’s underlying economic weaknesses but were intended to address them.
Tinubu also defended the removal of fuel subsidies and warned against calls to return to the previous subsidy system.
The President further said Nigeria’s economy had grown by more than four per cent in 2026, with both the oil and non-oil sectors contributing to what he described as a period of renewed economic stability.
Opposition Criticism of Tinubu’s Broadcast
The exchange between Amaechi and Onanuga comes amid continued political debate over the Tinubu administration’s economic policies and their effects on Nigerians.
The Presidency has defended the reforms as necessary measures to address longstanding economic problems, while opposition figures have continued to criticise aspects of their implementation and impact.
Onanuga’s allegation that some opposition politicians prepared their reactions before the President’s broadcast has now drawn a direct response from Amaechi, who insists that his group waited until Tinubu finished speaking before discussing the address.
The disagreement adds to the political exchanges between the Presidency and opposition figures ahead of the 2027 general election.