By Kolawole Ojebisi
Nigerians have continued to react to a claim by the Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga to the effect that the President is not aware that the citizens call him T-Pain
Onanuga stated that Tinubu is so engrossed with the serious business of governance, which includes how to steer the ship of state to the shore of promised land, that he is oblivious of happenings on social media.
The recent hike in pump price of fuel and nationwide hardship, have earned the president the nickname, T-Pain, from some Nigerians who are frustrated and disillusioned with the Tinubu administration.
Though T-Pain is a stage name of an American rapper, these Nigerians believe the “acronym” suits their intention since the president first name starts with a letter T and his administration has “brought nothing short of pain
“ in their own estimation.
Hiwever, when he appeared on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, Onanuga said Tinubu has not come to inflict pain on Nigerians but to repair the economy.
“The President is aware that the citizens are going through some difficulties, but he is not aware that some persons have labelled him T-pain on social media as he does not read what is on the social media.”
“Some people have also responded and called the President a different name. So, as far as I am concerned, it is a non-issue.
“Some people out of mischief just say somebody is a T-pain, He (Tinubu) is not T-pain. The President has never shied away from telling Nigerians that he feels their pain and he is working very hard to make sure that he gives them some relief so that things will get better and this country will get more prosperity.”
He said despite galloping inflation, “we are experiencing economic growth, despite inflation, revenues have increased”.
But it appears Nigerians are not not impressed by Onanuga’s defence as they have taken to social media to express their views concerning the interview.
Here are some of their opinions:
“Tinubu isn’t aware of new name he made for himself through his…policies but he always deceives himself telling Nigerians he can feel their pain. Defender Bayo Onanuga, can you tell us who’s deceiving who” JoeChris Onah.
“For you to have acknowledged that some Nigerians are calling the President T-Pain, the message had got to his ears.”Samsudeen Salisu Alienbata George, in his own case, defended the president by teasing another meaning out the seeming conundrum, T-Pain.
He wrote :”T- Pain means temporary pain just that majority of those attacking this government are too tribalistic to allow for an objective assessment of his policies.The enemies of our republic”
But David Omache said the president’s aides have been shielding him from the harsh realities of Nigerians by limiting him to watching government-owned Televisions and the one he purportedly owns.
Omache wrote, “Meaning they filter out news that reports realities on ground leaving him with FRCN,NTA and his TVC & The nation newspaper. Just as they did to Buhari.”
“Since you are his special adviser on information you can pass the information to him about his new name and the reason why nigerians are calling him TPain” Abdulsalam Badarudeen
