Aisha Yesufu Reacts To Onanuga's Remark, Tells Nigerians To Stop Sending Her Financial Request

Activist and outspoken government critic, Aisha Yesufu, has reacted to recent comments by presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga on the state of hardship in the country, urging Nigerians to channel their requests for financial assistance directly to government officials.

In a post shared on her X handle, Yesufu argued that public office holders would remain detached from the economic realities facing ordinary Nigerians because citizens have continued to shoulder responsibilities that should ordinarily be handled by government.

According to her, Nigerians should stop sending messages seeking assistance with rent, school fees, hospital bills and other personal expenses.

“They will not care nor feel the impact because citizens have assumed the burden of governance,” she wrote.

The activist added: “My fellow citizens, please do not send me messages of you not being able to pay rent, or school fees or hospital bills. Do not send me any message soliciting for anything.

“PLEASE SEND TO THOSE IN THIS ILLEGITIMATE GOVERNMENT SO THEY CAN SEE AND HEAR OF YOUR NEEDS!! They are the ones currently in charge of the Nation’s purse!!!!”

Yesufu's remarks come amid growing debate over comments attributed to presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga regarding complaints of hunger and economic hardship in the country. 

Onanuga during an interview on Arise News Primetime on Tuesday claimed that he did not see the level of hunger Nigerians are complaining about.

Opposition figures and critics of the administration have continued to insist that many Nigerians are grappling with rising living costs, while government supporters maintain that ongoing reforms will eventually yield positive results.