Presidential aide Bayo Onanuga has come under fire after a now-deleted post on X (formerly Twitter) appeared to downplay the significance of northern votes in the electoral victories of the late former President Muhammadu Buhari.
The controversy erupted after a user shared a video clip of a large crowd at one of Buhari’s campaign rallies in Ibadan, aiming to highlight the former president’s appeal beyond the northern region. In response, Onanuga posted:
“A video to rejig the memory of those who claimed only Buhari’s 12 million votes gave him the presidency in 2015 and 2019.”
Swift Backlash
Onanuga’s remark sparked immediate backlash, with many Nigerians accusing him of undermining the critical role of Buhari’s northern support base—a bloc often credited with delivering consistent 12 million votes that were instrumental to Buhari’s victories in both the 2015 and 2019 presidential elections.
Critics described the statement as insensitive, divisive, and historically inaccurate, especially as it came during a period of national mourning following Buhari’s death.
Tweet Quietly Deleted Without Apology
Amid the mounting criticism, Onanuga quietly deleted the post without offering any clarification or apology, a move that only fueled further outrage online. Many Nigerians viewed the deletion as a silent admission of error, while others demanded a public explanation.
The timing of Onanuga’s remark—just days after Buhari died in a London hospital at the age of 82—further amplified the backlash, with users calling the statement disrespectful to the late president’s legacy and supporters.
Legacy of the ‘12 Million Bloc Votes’
During Buhari’s political career, his consistent northern voter base, often referred to as the “12 million bloc votes,” was regarded as the foundation of his political strength.
His popularity across the North was a defining feature of his campaigns, particularly within the All Progressives Congress (APC) coalition that brought him to power in 2015, following three previous failed attempts.
No Official Response Yet
As of now, Onanuga has not issued any public response or apology addressing the backlash. His silence has left many political observers questioning the motives behind the controversial comment and whether it reflects deeper internal divisions within the ruling party.
