Buhari’s PA, Lauretta Onochie, causes dissent among media aides

Lauretta Onochie Muhammadu Buhari PA on soocial media

There is growing dissent among Aso Rock media managers over the manner Personal Assistant to the President on Social Media, Lauretta Onochie, attacks people on social media, Qed.ng has learnt.

A vocal member of the Buhari Support Organization (BSO), Onochie was appointed PA to the President in October 2016.

Continuing a tradition that started before her official appointment, the former lecturer at Epping Forest College, England is quick to get in a Twitter fight with anybody who expresses an opinion contrary to hers.

Her recent social media engagements have seen her exchange words with former Lagos State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Senator Tokunbo Afikuyomi, and a convener of the Bring Back Our Girls (BBOG) campaign croup, Aisha Yesufu.

Lauretta Onochie & Tokunbo Afikuyomi

Commenting on Onochie’s antics, lawyer Richard Akinola wrote on Facebook “I can’t believe that an SA to the president can be this insolent, impudent and discourteous, not only to Afikuyomi but to any Nigerian for that matter, for criticising the president. Who the bloody heck is this Lauretta? What a pity.”

A member of the President’s media team, who spoke to Qed.ng on the condition of anonymity, disclosed that the woman in her 50s is only trying to outdo the others.

“Don’t mind her. She wants to show that she is the one working. It is the old template,” the Villa spokesperson told this news platform.

Onochie, we were informed, reports to both Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, and Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu.

Although her portfolio is lower, it is not clear if she also reports to Special Assistant to the President on Social Media, Tolu Ogunlesi.