Bayo Onanuga, the presidential aide to Bola Ahmed Tinubu on information and strategy, has fired back at Peter Obi, the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, over his comments on the country’s borrowing.

This comes amid Mr Obi’s criticism of multiple loan requests under President Bola Tinubu, which he says could affect the country’s capacity for economic progress.

In a post on Thursday, Mr Onanuga said the former Anambra governor had once again come forward with what he described as demagoguery, arguing that all independent nations borrow.

His post reads: “Mr Peter Obi, you have come again with your demagoguery. What point are you trying to make about borrowing? Every sovereign nation borrows, and as President Tinubu rightly said, borrowing is not leprosy.”

He stated that the Tinubu-led administration has been borrowing to finance infrastructure, noting that the loans are not for consumption.

“If you must know, this administration has been borrowing to finance much-needed infrastructure, not consumption. The fact that we are receiving funds and have willing lenders shows that our country is credible and capable of repaying,” he said.

He added that politicians need to address issues without emotional reactions.

“As a politician, you need to rise above the pedestrian level and address issues of the day with rational argument, not emotional reactions on the streets and Twittersphere,” he said.