Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to the President, has taken a sharp jab at opposition leaders Atiku Abubakar of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi after the All Progressives Congress (APC) dominated Saturday’s bye-elections.
Onanuga on Monday posted a photo on X of Atiku, Obi, and other ADC figures with the caption, “How is the market now?” —a clear dig at the opposition’s weak performance in the polls.
Though he did not name names, the message was unmistakable, a subtle taunt at the opposition’s poor performance in the just-concluded elections.
The APC won the majority of the seats in the Saturday by-elections held across 16 constituencies in 12 states, while the Peoples Democratic Party won in Ibadan, Oyo State, and Adamawa State; the New Nigeria Peoples Party won in Kano; and the All Progressives Grand Alliance won Anambra State.
However, the ADC failed to win any constituencies.
With the results in, Onanuga’s pointed jab reflects the developing narrative: opposition leaders who once pledged to shake up the political environment are now left to “check the market”, as the APC tightens its control.