Onanuga Mocks Peter Obi Over Super Eagles Bonus Criticism

Presidential aide Bayo Onanuga has mocked former Anambra State governor Peter Obi over his criticism of the Federal Government and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) regarding unpaid match bonuses to the Super Eagles.

Obi, the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, had taken to X to condemn reports that the national team threatened not to travel to Marrakech for their next Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) match against Algeria unless all outstanding winning bonuses were paid. He described the situation as an embarrassment to Nigeria.

“When will this embarrassment end? Can we get through a day without troubling news in this country?” Obi wrote, noting that the Super Eagles have been a source of joy and unity for Nigerians.

He criticised government spending, adding: “A country that writes off trillions in debts for government agencies and political allies, and squanders money on grandiose, self-serving projects, now struggles to pay the basic match bonuses owed to our players.”

Obi urged the government to “fulfil its obligations,” stating that the team “do not deserve this embarrassment or the avoidable distractions ahead of a crucial quarter-final match.”

Reacting under Obi’s post, Onanuga, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, dismissed the comments, labelling Obi as ‘bitter.’

“Mr Bitter Peter, must you weaponise every issue?” Onanuga wrote.

Meanwhile, the Minister of State for Finance, Doris Uzoka-Anite, confirmed that delays in the release of the bonuses had been resolved. In a post on X, she said administrative processes for the Super Eagles’ AFCON 2025 match bonuses had been streamlined. She added that the Federal Government, in collaboration with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), had resolved foreign exchange bottlenecks that had previously delayed payments to the players.

Opinion Nigeria News