Former presidential aide, Lauretta Onochie, has openly criticised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over the recently released ambassadorial nominees, accusing the administration of nepotism and sidelining loyalists of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
Onochie, who served as Buhari’s Special Assistant on Digital and Social Media and later as Chairperson of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), made the allegations in a series of posts on her X handle on Sunday.
She argued that the new list of ambassadorial nominees heavily favoured the South-West, claiming that the distribution reflected “blatant nepotism.”
According to the allocation she published, the regional breakdown of nominees stands as follows:
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South-South: 3
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North-West: 5
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North-Central: 5
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North-East: 5
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South-East: 6
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South-West: 11
“You are solidly in bed with nepotism,” she wrote, insisting that Buhari’s supporters were being systematically excluded while individuals who allegedly opposed the Buhari administration were being rewarded.
In an emotional open letter addressed to her former boss, Onochie said Nigerians were beginning to express nostalgia for Buhari’s style of leadership, citing rising hunger, insecurity, and poverty under the current administration.
“Your Excellency… Nigerians are saying something they never expected to say: ‘We miss Buhari.’ Not because your administration was perfect, but because the suffering people face today cuts deeper than words can capture,” she wrote.
She praised Buhari for what she described as discipline, modest lifestyle, transparency regarding his health, and a commitment to national unity. According to her, many citizens now believe those qualities are missing in the present government.
Onochie also admitted that Buhari loyalists played a role in the emergence of the Tinubu administration in 2023 but insisted they are now united in seeking change.
“We know we are guilty of installing this incompetent and clueless government, but be assured we are united in the bid to sack it come 2027,” she added.
Her remarks highlight deepening fault lines within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), as internal criticisms continue to surface ahead of the 2027 general election. Onochie’s statements add momentum to ongoing debates over loyalty, governance, and the direction of the party under President Tinubu.
