President Bola Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Strategic Communication, Bayo Onanuga, has received backlash on social media following a post on Friday.
Onanuga used his official social media platform to share a message from the Defence Headquarters.
In the post, he urged the public to assist in the apprehension of individuals wanted in connection with the killing of military personnel in Okuama on March 14th.
However, his choice of words sparked outrage.
In the tweet, he referred to the suspects as “eight people and a woman,” a phrase that many found dismissive and demeaning of women.
“Defence Headquarters declares eight people and a woman wanted in connection with the killing of our military men in Okuama on 14 March,” Onunga tweeted.
“Have you seen them? Be a patriot by reporting them to any military formation or the police.”
https://twitter.com/aonanuga1956/status/1773260212025131486?
Journalist Fisayo Soyombo was among the first to question the language used, stating, “Simply, women are not ‘people’?”
Women are not ‘people’?
— 'Fisayo Soyombo (@fisayosoyombo) March 29, 2024
@thepoetpreneur humorously questions Onanuga’s employment status, stating, “Eight people and a woman? How are you employed? You are funny…”
Eight people and a woman?
How are you employed?
You are funny… https://t.co/rdmnLFCQk2— Snr Copywriter Chinedu Junior Ihekwoaba (@thepoetpreneur) March 29, 2024
Another user, @Officialikenna, humorously remarked by employing local slang into the conversation, saying, “8 people and a woman? Senior man This loud sharp o.”
“Loud” is usually used to describe high-quality or to be high on marijuana or weed.
8 people and a woman?
Senior man
This loud sharp o— Emperor Ik (@Officialikenna) March 29, 2024
while @_theClare commented, “Screenshot for when we will need evidence to convince women voters that this administration does not see women as humans ”
Screenshot for when we will need evidence to convince women voters that this administration does not see women as humans🤧 https://t.co/Gx2bEkHBvm
— Ọ́kwụ́lụ́ọ̀kálị́sị́á (@_theClare) March 29, 2024
@Dbest101, confronted Onanuga, saying, “U don’t see Woman as people.”
U don’t see Woman as people 🤷🏾🤷🏾🤷🏾
— Oluwasegun (@Dbest101) March 29, 2024
@butter_fly40, asked if everything was all right with him, saying “Sir…is everything alright? Isn’t the woman a person too?
Sir…is everything alright?
Isn't the woman a person too? https://t.co/pgEazq6P6i
— 🦋 (@butter_fly40) March 29, 2024
Meanwhile, @flourish007 says that Onanuga’s choice of words is a message that reflects that Tinubu’s presidency sees women as second-class citizens.
“The message from the presidency clearly indicates that women are regarded as second-class citizens, which is disgraceful…We’ve been addressing human rights violations across the board.”
The message from the presidency clearly indicates that women are regarded as second-class citizens, which is disgraceful.
We've been addressing human rights violations across the board.
— ben samuel (@flourish007) March 29, 2024
As of the time of filling this report, Onanuga is yet to respond to the backlash or offer clarification regarding his choice of words.
