Paul Ibe, a media aide to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, has criticised Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to President Bola Tinubu, for comparing the largesse the Super Falcons received for winning the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) title to Big Brother Nigeria’s (BBNaija) prize money.

The Super Falcons, following their 3–2 victory against Morocco in Saturday’s final of the 2024 WAFCON in Rabat, were rewarded handsomely, with President Tinubu doling out ₦150 million to each of the players.

Onanuga, reacting to the monetary rewards, wrote on his official X account: “When you remember that Multichoice, the organizer of the BBNaija reality show, is offering the winner ₦150 million grand prize, you wonder why some Nigerians are unappreciative of President Tinubu’s rewards to the Super Falcons. President Tinubu has rewarded excellence, creativity, hard work, soccer artistry, and the undying Nigerian spirit.”

Atiku’s media aide, Ibe, reacting to Onanuga’s post on Wednesday, wrote on X:
“Dear @aonanuga1956, I believe that the Super Falcons and indeed any other team or individuals who have made Nigeria proud deserve to be rewarded. That’s a no-brainer.

“However, the comparison to Multichoice paying ₦150 million to winners of BBNaija is misplaced. Multichoice is spending private money generated from its business operations, while Tinubu is spending from our commonwealth.

“Even the fish that lives inside bodies of water does not consume water with reckless abandon.”

Tinubu conferred the Super Falcons with national honours, while the President also gifted each of the players and technical crew a three-bedroom flat.