Tinubu’s Media Team in Disarray as Onanuga’s Deleted Tweet Sparks Controversy

President Bola Tinubu’s media team finds itself in turmoil following a contentious tweet by Bayo Onanuga, which he later deleted. The incident highlights the ongoing discord among the president’s media handlers, with Onanuga at the center of the latest controversy.

On Wednesday, August 7, 2024, O’tega Ogra, Senior Special Assistant on Digital/New Media to the President, posted a video of Tinubu appealing to Nigerians. In this video, the president acknowledged the hardships citizens are facing due to the removal of the fuel subsidy. He admitted that an “avoidable lag” between the subsidy removal and his “good and helpful plans” had exacerbated the difficulties.

President Tinubu later shared the video on his official X handle, urging Nigerians to remain patient. He assured them that his government is working diligently to alleviate their suffering, emphasizing that the nation’s collective strength and unity would lead to a better future. The president’s caption read, “As we navigate through these temporary pains, please remember that every effort is being made to ensure a stable and prosperous future for all Nigerians. Our collective strength and unity will pave the way for a brighter tomorrow. We are in this together, and we will overcome.”

The video, although an old clip from a 2023 broadcast, resonated with many Nigerians, who mistook it for a new address. This led to widespread speculation and discussion, with some believing it to be a follow-up to Tinubu’s recent address to protesting youths.

Hours later, Bayo Onanuga, a key member of the president’s media team, stirred further confusion by countering the narrative. Onanuga clarified that the video was not new, but rather a clip from the president’s previous year’s broadcast. His tweet stated, “A trending video of President Tinubu which came out on Wednesday is not a new video. It’s a clip from the broadcast he made last year. President Tinubu has not made any other public statement since his last broadcast on Sunday.”

Onanuga’s tweet quickly drew criticism, with many accusing the president’s media team of being disorganized and lacking coordination. The incident has reignited discussions about the frequent conflicts among Tinubu’s media aides.

This is not the first time such discord has surfaced. In May, Presidential Spokesperson Ajuri Ngelale dismissed a statement by Onanuga as fake and unauthorized. The statement in question had claimed that Tinubu would address a joint session of the National Assembly to mark his first anniversary in office. Despite the backlash, Onanuga refused to take down his statement.

Additionally, in January, when Tinubu relieved Tunde Irukera of his position as Chief Executive Officer of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) and Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), Onanuga publicly disagreed with the wording used by Ajuri Ngelale in announcing the development.

The ongoing conflicts within Tinubu’s media team suggest a lack of cohesion, which could potentially undermine the administration’s communication strategy. As Nigerians continue to navigate challenging times, the need for a unified and coordinated media approach becomes increasingly critical.