Tunde Onakoya dismisses backlash over Tinubu meeting as ‘hilarious noise’
Tunde Onakoya
Abdullateef Fowewe
Chess in Slums founder Tunde Onakoya has hit back at online trolls slamming his meeting with President Bola Tinubu, labeling the uproar “hilarious” and insisting he has “zero political value.”
In a post on X, Onakoya wrote, “It’s honestly hilarious. I have zero political value. Just doing my part to make the country better.
“We do the chess project in at least 25 countries around the world. Was received by the president of my own country for breaking the world record and making Nigeria proud.
“That’s it really and the crash out has been monumental. It’s all noise anyway. I just feel pity for the naive ones.”
Criticism surged after Onakoya presented his global chess initiative—operating in 25 countries—to Tinubu, with some accusing him of APC alignment amid economic hardships.
Supporters decry the double standard, noting opposition figures face no such scrutiny, and praise his work for boosting national development.
Onakoya’s world record chess marathon had already earned him national honours, underscoring his focus on youth empowerment over politics.
