The special adviser to President Bola Tinubu on information and strategy, Bayo Onanuga, has criticised Seriake Dickson, former governor of Bayelsa State, claiming the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) lacks a clear plan for the country.
In a statement released on Friday, Onanuga described the NDC as “a camp for the politically displaced and desperate”.
His remarks come amid rising attention around the party following the recent defection of Peter Obi, the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, and former Kano governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso from the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Onanuga argued that the NDC is no different from the ADC, insisting the party has failed to present a distinct vision for governing Nigeria.
“Like ADC, the NDC has no plan for Nigeria yet,” he said.
The presidential aide explained that he had visited the party’s website twice in recent days out of curiosity to compare its vision with President Tinubu’s renewed hope agenda.
According to him, attempts to access the party’s manifesto proved unsuccessful.
“‘No document found’ was the response I got each time I tried to download the manifesto,” Onanuga said.
He also expressed disappointment that a party whose national leader, Senator Seriake Dickson, promised an ideological battle ahead of the 2027 elections had not uploaded a manifesto since its registration in February.
Onanuga added that the policy points currently displayed on the party’s website were merely broad statements and not concrete pillars of governance.
He further claimed the ideas resembled “the platitudes the party’s newest catch, Peter Obi, has bombarded the nation with in the last six years”.
Despite his criticism, the presidential spokesperson said he still looks forward to seeing the NDC’s full vision and mission for Nigeria.