ONOH DISMISSES MARAFA’S CLAIM OF SLASHING TINUBU VOTES

Dr. Josef Onoh, former spokesperson for President Bola Tinubu’s campaign in the South-East, has rubbished recent claims by former Zamfara Central Senator, Kabiru Marafa, that he would reduce President Tinubu’s 2027 votes by at least one million. Onoh described the statement as unrealistic, baseless, and reflective of personal bitterness rather than political reality.
Speaking in response to Marafa’s vow, Onoh said Tinubu’s political base remains too strong and diverse to be weakened by such “numerical magic.” He explained that Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope Agenda” has deliberately spread developmental projects across all regions, thereby consolidating the president’s grassroots support. As an example, Onoh cited the appointment of Zamfara’s former governor, Bello Matawalle, as Minister of State for Defence, which he argued was a direct response to the state’s serious security challenges.
He further noted that while there may be some grievances within the APC regarding reward distribution and patronage, these issues are not unusual in a ruling party and cannot be blamed solely on the president. According to him, the failure of certain politicians to secure desired appointments often fuels unfounded criticisms, which should not be mistaken for public opinion.
Onoh maintained that Tinubu’s support structure in Zamfara and across the North remains robust, as the electorate is more interested in tangible development projects and security improvements than in political drama. He therefore dismissed Marafa’s boast as an attempt to remain politically relevant ahead of the next electoral cycle.
The former campaign spokesperson concluded by urging Nigerians to focus on holding leaders accountable for delivery rather than allowing political distractions to dominate national discourse.