Former presidential aide and chieftain of the African Democratic Congress, Lauretta Onochie, has reacted to a viral photograph showing King Charles of England holding the hand of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu during a gathering in the United Kingdom. Onochie took to her official X account on Thursday to share her thoughts on the image, which had already drawn widespread attention across Nigerian social media.
The photo emerged after King Charles hosted President Tinubu alongside several other international dignitaries in the UK. The image, which showed the British monarch holding Tinubu’s hand, quickly circulated online, prompting reactions from Nigerians on both sides of the political divide. Some saw it as a sign of warmth and diplomatic respect, while others read different meanings into the gesture depending on their political leanings.
Checkout photo of King Charles and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu below;
Onochie, who previously served as an aide during the Buhari administration before joining the ADC, responded by thanking King Charles. She also referenced Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan in her remarks, drawing a connection between the two leaders and their interactions with the British king. In the same post, Onochie touched on domestic politics, taking a swipe at former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai. She stated that while some want El-Rufai to retire from politics and clear the path for President Tinubu, the former governor will not step aside.
Onochie’s words were brief but pointed.
“Thank you King Charles. Tayyip Erdogan, the current President of Turkey handed his care plan to King Charles,” Onochie wrote.
The viral photo arrives at a time when President Tinubu’s international engagements are being closely watched by Nigerians. Every image, handshake, and interaction involving the president on foreign soil is dissected for meaning back home. For supporters, moments like these reinforce the idea that Tinubu commands respect on the global stage. For critics, they raise questions about whether diplomatic appearances translate into tangible benefits for ordinary Nigerians struggling with economic hardship.
Onochie’s mention of El-Rufai also adds a layer of domestic political intrigue to what might otherwise have been a straightforward reaction to a photograph. The relationship between El-Rufai and the current administration has been the subject of speculation for months, and any public comment on the matter, especially from a figure with Onochie’s political profile, tends to fuel further debate about alliances and rivalries within Nigeria’s ruling political circles….See More
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