For the second time in three months, former presidential aide Lauretta Onochie has penned another open letter to her late former boss, ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, expressing deep frustration over the current state of the nation under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. She accused the administration of abandoning Buhari’s loyalists while empowering individuals she described as political adversaries of the former president.
Onochie, who served as Buhari’s Special Assistant on Digital and Social Media and later as Chairperson of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), also faulted the newly released list of ambassadorial nominees, alleging that it was heavily skewed in favour of the South-West region.
“Nepotism at Its Peak” — Onochie Rejects Ambassadorial List
In several posts on her X handle on Sunday, Onochie expressed outrage over what she called “blatant nepotism” in the regional spread of the nominees. She listed the distribution as follows:
South-South — 3
North-West — 5
North-Central — 5
North-East — 5
South-East — 6
South-West — 11
According to her, the figures show a clear bias toward the South-West.
“But hey, you are solidly in bed with nepotism,” she wrote, insisting that the region received far more slots than others.
She further accused President Tinubu of rewarding individuals who, according to her, worked against the Buhari administration.
“We will overlook the glaring fact of rewarding those who mobilised hostilities against President Buhari’s administration. Let’s just have ambassadors,” she said.
“Nigerians Miss You” — Onochie Writes Buhari Again
In a separate lengthy message titled “To Former President Muhammadu Buhari”, Onochie said many Nigerians were now openly expressing nostalgia for Buhari’s leadership due to worsening hunger, insecurity and economic hardship.
“Your Excellency… Nigerians are saying something they never expected to say: ‘We miss Buhari.’ Not because your administration was without flaws, but because the pain Nigerians face today cuts deeper than words can capture,” she wrote.
Onochie praised Buhari’s “discipline,” “modest lifestyle,” “transparency about his health,” and what she described as his attempts to keep the country united.
“People are hurting. People are afraid. People miss the stability and honesty they once felt under your leadership,” she added, noting that she had since joined the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as part of what she called a mission to “rescue” the country.
She also admitted that Buhari loyalists had a hand in bringing the Tinubu administration to power.
“We know we are guilty of installing this incompetent and clueless government but be assured we are united in the bid to sack the government come 2027,” she wrote.
Not Her First Warning to the APC
This is Onochie’s second major outburst within 90 days. In a previous open letter released in August, she accused President Tinubu of running the All Progressives Congress (APC) like a private venture, alleging that the party had abandoned principles such as justice, fairness and equity.
She claimed at the time that individuals involved in misconduct were being rewarded with appointments and charged that the party no longer reflected Buhari’s values.
Signs of Deepening Tension Ahead of 2027
Onochie’s renewed criticism adds to growing internal cracks within the APC as the 2027 general elections draw closer. Her insistence that Buhari loyalists regret helping to bring the current administration to power is expected to intensify debates around loyalty, leadership style and the direction of the ruling party.
