Kabir Masari, senior aide to President Bola Tinubu, unveils an unconventional "official portrait," sparking controversy.
Kabir Masari, the senior special assistant on political matters to President Bola Tinubu, sparked controversy with the release of his self-described "verified portrait" on social media. The portrait, featuring Masari in an unconventional pose and criticized for its perceived low quality, was intended to underscore his role within Tinubu's presidency. Typically reserved for top officials like the president and ministers, Masari's decision to publicize such a portrait raised eyebrows among political circles.
Masari's image, depicting more than just a headshot and with his gaze averted from the camera, drew sharp reactions from users on platforms like X and Facebook. Despite initially making it his profile picture, Masari eventually removed the post from X due to backlash from users critical of the portrait's quality.
Appointed by Tinubu in July 2023 after serving as a placeholder for Tinubu's running mate in the 2023 presidential election, Masari has previously courted attention with similar social media announcements. Earlier, he had unveiled a "verified logo" as a presidential aide, which also garnered mixed reactions online.
While some comments praised Masari's dedication and role in Tinubu's team, others ridiculed the portrayal and questioned its professional standard. The incident underscores the delicate balance political aides must maintain in public perception, especially in the age of social media scrutiny.
