Bayo Onanuga’s claim that a viral video of President Tinubu urging Nigerians to endure economic hardships is old has sparked outrage. The video, mistakenly perceived as a recent address, led to criticism of the presidential media team for their apparent disorganization and confusion.
In a recent development, Bayo Onanuga, the special adviser on information and strategy to President Bola Tinubu, has sparked controversy on social media after clarifying that a widely circulated video of the president is not recent. The video, initially posted on the X handle of Ortega Ogra, Tinubu's senior special assistant on new media, shows the president urging Nigerians to endure the "present temporary pain" and trust in his administration's ability to improve the country's economic situation.
The video quickly gained traction, particularly as it coincided with ongoing protests over economic hardship in various parts of Nigeria. Many assumed the president was addressing the current unrest, but Onanuga later stated that the clip was actually from a previous broadcast. He emphasized that President Tinubu had not made any new public statements since his last nationwide address on Sunday.
Onanuga's revelation has drawn mixed reactions from the public. Some Nigerians criticized the presidential media team for what they perceive as disorganization and confusion, with many taking to social media to express their frustration. Comments ranged from accusations of incompetence to ridicule, with some suggesting that the media team's errors reflect poorly on the administration as a whole.
This incident is not the first time the presidential media team has faced criticism for inconsistent messaging. In May, conflicting statements from Onanuga and Ajuri Ngelale, another presidential adviser, regarding Tinubu's planned speech to the national assembly, led to widespread confusion. The latest controversy only adds to the growing concerns about the effectiveness of the president's communication strategy.
