In a recent social media post, Dada Olusegun, a media aide to President Bola Tinubu, criticized Nigerian media outlets for publicizing a photograph capturing the president allegedly sleeping during the 37th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union (AU) in Addis Ababa.
Despite the photographic evidence, Mr. Olusegun defended President Tinubu's performance at the AU summit, claiming that he delivered the "most inspiring" speech of the event. According to the aide, Tinubu addressed crucial topics such as the proposed African Central Bank set to launch by 2028, emphasizing the importance of unity and advocating for a new approach to governance across the continent.
Mr. Olusegun refrained from directly addressing whether President Tinubu had indeed dozed off during the session, instead focusing on the media's choice to highlight the photograph. In his criticism, he argued that the media prioritized sensationalism over substance, neglecting to cover the vital issues discussed by the president.
Expressing concern for the younger generation, Mr. Olusegun lamented that the media's emphasis on the photograph shielded them from essential developments. He accused the media of perpetuating a trend of prioritizing trivialities over substantive matters, ultimately hindering the public's understanding of critical national and continental issues.
The controversy surrounding the photograph gained momentum on social media, with a snapshot of President Tinubu asleep while his aide-de-camp, Colonel Nurudeen Alowonle Yusuf, diligently took notes behind him circulating widely. Nigerians took to various platforms to express their reactions, further fueling debates about the president's health and his ability to govern, especially in the context of the upcoming 2023 presidential election.
This incident echoes similar occurrences where President Tinubu was previously photographed sleeping during public events, raising concerns among the public about his fitness for office. As the controversy unfolds, it remains to be seen how the media, the public, and political stakeholders will navigate the delicate balance between transparency, accountability, and political optics in the lead-up to the crucial 2023 elections.
