Victor Ezeja
Netizens have berated Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to President Tinubu, for calling out a post on the president’s verified X handle.
In the two-minute video posted on Tinubu’s verified X handle on Wednesday, he appealed to Nigerians to endure the current hardship, which he described as “a temporary pain,” adding that better days of prosperity lie ahead, as his administration continues to make reforms to put the country on the path to sustainable growth.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelText extracted from his speech in the video, shared on X read: “As we navigate through these temporary pains, please remember that every effort is being made to ensure a stable and prosperous future for all Nigerians.
“Our collective strength and unity will pave the way for a brighter tomorrow. We are in this together, and we will overcome.”
Many perceived the video to be a fresh address to Nigerians from the president, after the Sunday nationwide broadcast.
READ ALSO: After That Over-analysed Speech: What Tinubu Must Do Now
Onanuga in a post shortly after the video started trending said it was a clip from the president’s broadcast last year.
“A trending video of President Tinubu which came out on Wednesday is not a new video. It’s a clip from the broadcast he made last year.
“President Tinubu has not made any other public statement since his last broadcast on Sunday,” Onanuga said.
However, many netizens dragged him online for what they perceived as calling out the post.
An X user with username Pearls @MissPearls wrote: “Tinubu posted a video on his official handle, Bayo Onanuga said it is fake. Who is fooling?” he asked.
Another X user with username NEFERTITI @firstladyship alleged that there is a cold war between
Bayo Onanuga and Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, adding that it is already affecting their communication about activities in the presidency.
She wrote: “Tinubu’s account posted it (the video). The Presidency posted it as well.
“There is a silent war between Bayo Onanuga & Ajuri Ngelale, & it’s affecting their messaging.
“Bayo will post, Ajuri will deny, Ajuri will post, Bayo will deny.
READ ALSO: Protest: Tinubu Under Pressure To Address Fuel Price, Electricity Tariff
“Their untidiness is getting out of hand.”
Another X user said: “Bayo is probably right. However, this incompetence is just a distraction.”
Some accused the president and his social media handlers of posting an old video of Tinubu’s address to deceive Nigerians and gain some cheap sympathies.
“So the clueless man in Aso Rock posted a year old video to gain some cheap sympathies that he’s trying from Nigerians.
Still his boys went and embarrassed him,” an X user, Rizykev wrote.
Tinubu’s address last Sunday generated mixed reactions across the country. While some hailed the president for addressing Nigerians and suing for peace and unity among the citizens, others said his speech failed to address issues critical to the demands of #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protest.
The protesters have called for a return of petrol subsidy and electricity tariff and stabilising the exchange rate, which has increased by over 200 per cent since last year.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with seven years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Master's degree in Mass Communication.
