Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has slammed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over the appointment of his new media aides, stating that he is frustrated after being exposed for his many lies.
The Special Assistant on Public Communication to the PDP flagbearer, Atiku, in a statement on Monday accused Tinubu of appointing individuals to help him promote propaganda and improve his reputation among Nigerians. Atiku added that even if Tinubu hires one thousand media aides, his reputation can never be redeemed. The statement was in response to the appointment of new media aides by President Tinubu. Atiku’s aide alleged that the appointments were proof of his earlier disclosure of Tinubu’s plan to spread propaganda. He further added that Tinubu is trying to cover up lies about his academic records and other scandals in the United States.
President Tinubu announced the appointment of Fela Durotoye, Fredrick Nwabufo, Linda Nwabuwa Akhigbe, Aliyu Audu, and Francis Adah Abah to different positions. In reaction to these new appointments, Atiku’s aide said that not even a thousand media aides can save the reputation of President Tinubu, which is currently drowning in scandals. The appointments were a confirmation of Shaibu’s earlier statement, where he revealed that the Tinubu government was about to set up a propaganda unit. According to Shaibu, Tinubu’s government is currently facing a huge certificate forgery scandal and is about to be drowned by the files that the FBI will release regarding his heroin case in the United States.
Shaibu also highlighted the irony in the number of appointments made by Tinubu’s government, stating that they have appointed the largest number of non-statutory appointments despite claiming to be focused on fiscal discipline. He further pointed out that Tinubu has more media advisers than economic aides, which shows his plan to use propaganda to rule. In addition, Tinubu has only held one cabinet meeting in five months. Shaibu warned that Tinubu and his lackeys must understand that no amount of image laundering can save his sinking reputation.
Tinubu’s list of media aides includes Ajuri Ngelale, Tunde Rahman, Tope Ajayi, Abdulaziz Abdulaziz, Otega Ogara, Segun Dada, Nosa Asemota, Sunday Moses, Taiwo Okonlawon, Moremi Ojudu, Tanko Yakasai, Chioma Nweze, Abiodun Essiet, Abdulhamid Yahaya Abba, and Emmanuella Eduozor. This is in addition to the Minister of Information and others appointed in the ministry to drive the propaganda. With the latest appointment, Tinubu now has over 20 media aides, the highest in the history of Nigeria. However, propaganda can only go so far. It cannot solve problems like insecurity, poor infrastructure, or attract foreign investors.