Tinubu’s Spokesperson Bayo Onanuga Asks US, UK To Call Israel To Order After Iran Attack

• President Tinubu’s spokesperson has reacted to the brewing conflict in the Middleast.

• Bayo Onanuga says the US and UK have a duty to restrain Israel from escalating hostilities.

• The Nigerian leader’s spokesperson noted that he was speaking in a personal capacity.

Eko Hot Blog reports that Bayo Onanuga, President Bola Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, has called on the United States (US) and the United Kingdom (UK) to restrain Israel from responding to Iranian attacks disproportionately.

He made the call in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, on Sunday.

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Recall that Iran launched more than 300 missiles and drones on Israel on Saturday.

Iran said the attacks were in response to Israel attacking its consulate in Syria and killing seven Revolutionary Guards, including two generals of the Quds Force.

Israel’s air defence system, Iron Dome, intercepted nearly all the missiles and drones, averting human casualties.

Israel has consequently vowed a retaliatory attack despite Iran warning against further “reckelsss” attacks, saying its Saturday’s strikes had “concluded” its response.

In the wake of the Iranian attacks, US President Joe Biden said his country’s support for Israel is “ironclad” as UK also vowed their support.

Reacting to the conflict, Tinubu’s spokesperson said the UK and US owe the world the responsibility for peace in the Middle East by ensuring that Israel does not launch disproportionate retaliatory attacks.

Onanuga, who noted that Israel drew first blood by attacking Iran’s Syrian embassy, warned that the conflict may degenerate if the US and UK — two of Israel’s staunchest allies — do not mediate.

“United States of America and the UK owe the world the responsibility for peace in the Middle East by ensuring that Israeli response to Iranian drones and missiles is not disproportionate. Israel first drew blood by attacking the Iranian embassy in Damascus, killing some Iranian military officials,” he wrote.

“Iran promised some retaliation against Israel which it did Saturday by raining drones and missiles in Israeli direction. Many of them were intercepted. Times of Israel has reported one injury. Iran said it has concluded its retaliation to Israel’s first attack. But Israel is planning a massive response.

“With Jordan, Syria and other countries, closing their airspace, Iranian Defense Minister Mohammad Reza Ashtiani threatened a firm response to any country that “opens its airspace or territory for attacks on Iran by Israel”. This conflict can degenerate. UK, USA should mediate.

“There is need for caution all round. With Gaza yet unresolved, the world does not want another war in the Middle East.”

While 170 drones and 30 cruise missiles were shot down before they reached Israel, a few of the 110 ballistic missiles did get through, according to the Israeli army.

Among the injured was a seven-year-old girl near the southern Israeli town of Arad who was in intensive care, according to the medical centre that received her.

Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi said in a statement that “if the Zionist regime (Israel) or its supporters demonstrate reckless behaviour, they will receive a decisive and much stronger response.”

Several countries condemned the attack, and the United Nations Security Council is due to hold an emergency meeting later on Sunday over what it has called a “serious escalation”.

Meanwhile, Onanuga’s strange decision to comment on foreign policy despite not empowered to do so by the president has generated condemnation on social media.

“I think we should concern ourselves more with the happenings in Nigeria. This tweet could be bent out of shape in so many ways. Personal or not!” X user, Mkizzle, wrote.

Another user, Olukayode Bakre, wrote that, “ This statement can be read as the President’s point of view and by extension Nigeria’s position. Dear sir, please kindly be a bit more careful throwing this out so early and in this fashion. You speak for the President.”

“Yes I see your disclaimer at the end but it’s most unfortunate for a Presidential spokesperson to give these sorts of views in a public space. I hope the Israeli reps in Nigeria don’t read any meaning into this,” Morris Monye added.

Another X user, Yojora, warned that Onanuga’s opinion might be reported as President Tinubu’s position.

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“Have you forgotten you’re a media aide to the president and anything you say is going to be reported as official statement by the president and government?? This is highly irresponsible,” he said.

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