RismadarVoice Reporters
October 21, 2026
The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, has criticised former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi over his recent comments about Nigerians living abroad, while separately advocating the death penalty for individuals involved in the production of counterfeit products.
Onanuga’s criticism followed Obi’s clarification of remarks made during a town hall meeting with Nigerians in Manchester, United Kingdom, where he urged members of the diaspora to encourage their relatives to support accountable leadership rather than remain dependent on financial assistance.
Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), had accused political opponents of deliberately misrepresenting his message.
However, Onanuga rejected the explanation in a post on X, insisting that the former governor’s clarification had not changed the substance of his original remarks.
“You failed to clarify your Manchester callous statement. Nobody twisted your statement. Thank you for affirming it again,” Onanuga wrote.
The controversy began after Obi urged Nigerians abroad to reconsider responding automatically to requests for financial assistance from relatives at home.
He argued that Nigeria’s economic difficulties required sustainable solutions through responsible governance, employment creation and improved public services.
Following criticism, Obi explained that he was not asking Nigerians overseas to abandon their families or withdraw essential financial support.
The former governor acknowledged the contributions of Nigerians in the diaspora, particularly those paying school fees, medical bills, rent and other household expenses for relatives.
He maintained that his message focused on building a country where citizens would no longer depend heavily on financial assistance from abroad to meet basic needs.
In a separate development, Onanuga called for the introduction of capital punishment for counterfeiters following the discovery of a suspected illegal alcoholic beverage production facility in Aba, Abia State.
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) announced that its enforcement officers uncovered the facility at No. 25 Omenazu Street following intelligence reports.
According to the agency, investigators discovered suspected counterfeit packaging materials, empty bottles, sealing equipment, ethanol and unidentified liquid mixtures.
NAFDAC estimated the value of equipment and materials recovered at more than ₦500 million.
Reacting to the discovery, Onanuga condemned the activities of counterfeiters and argued that existing punishments were insufficient to deter offenders.
“These counterfeiters certainly have no conscience. Until we start imposing a death penalty on them, they will never stop their nefarious activities,” he stated.
However, the existing Counterfeit and Fake Drugs and Unwholesome Processed Foods Act does not prescribe the death penalty for offences covered by its provisions.
Under the legislation, certain offences attract imprisonment ranging from five to 15 years, fines or both, upon conviction.
Onanuga’s remarks represent his call for tougher punishment, not an announcement of a new government policy or amendment to Nigerian law.
