Designation Of Bandits As Terrorists: “You Are Taking Nigerians For A Silly Ride” – Onochie Tells Tinubu

By Gideon Njoku

A former Aide of late President Muhammadu Buhari, Lauretta Onochie, has tackled President Bola Tinubu over his declaration of Bandits as Terrorists.

The President had, while presenting the 2026 Budget to the National Assembly on Friday, December 19, 2025, designated Bandits, armed robbers, armed militias as terrorists.

While many have applauded President Tinubu and described his declaration as a step in the right direction, Onochie dismissed it as nothing new even while commending Tinubu. She urged President Tinubu to get on with the job and stop competing with the late President Buhari.

In a post on her official X handle on Saturday, December 20, Onochie said that late President Buhari had already laid the foundation, and all that  remained for Tinubu is to build on it. All Tinubu needs to do, Onochie emphasized, is to act on the already laid foundation and not the declaration he made. He pointed out that Nigerians were expecting actions not declarations because such declarations,  without actions means taking Nigerians for a ride. She described it as trying to compete with Buhari.

Onochie: “Dear Pres. @officialABAT.

Stop competing with Pres. Buhari. He’s no longer our president.

“Just step on the already established foundation and build more.You are taking Nigerians for a silly ride.

“Action. Not Echolalia

Thank you”

Onochie who was a prominent member of the Buhari Government is a strong critic of the  President Tinubu Government which she, obviously, has an untidy relationship with.