Phrank Shaibu, Special Assistant on Public Communication to Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 general election, has raised concerns about President Bola Tinubu’s alleged plans to initiate a propaganda campaign in the coming days.
Shaibu claimed that Tinubu’s recent announcement regarding the lifting of the visa ban by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is just one example of this propaganda strategy. He asserted that Tinubu has appointed over 15 media aides with the primary goal of disseminating misinformation as a state policy to divert Nigerians’ attention from the challenges caused by his administration.
According to Shaibu, this approach has been Tinubu’s modus operandi since his tenure as governor and leader of his political party.
He further stated that Tinubu is poised to intensify his propaganda efforts during his upcoming trip to the United Nations General Assembly. Shaibu suggested that Tinubu may claim to have attracted foreign investments worth $100 billion without providing essential details, similar to previous unverified claims by Nigerian leaders.
Shaibu also criticized the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) for claiming to have secured a $3 billion loan to stabilize the naira, asserting that it was a deceptive move. He argued that such actions would lead to negative consequences, such as the devaluation of the naira in the parallel market.
Moreover, Shaibu highlighted Tinubu’s recruitment of multiple media aides, questioning why economic experts were not prioritized amid economic challenges. He listed the names and roles of these media aides.
Shaibu emphasized that despite Tinubu’s promise to hit the ground running, he has held only one cabinet meeting since his inauguration nearly 120 days ago. He called on Nigerians to exercise patience as the Supreme Court prepares to address election petition appeals.
He concluded by highlighting the challenges faced by Nigerians under Tinubu’s administration, including the removal of petrol subsidies and inadequate wage increases, urging Nigerians to remain patient as the judicial authorities address electoral fraud issues.
