- The President understands Nigerians’ challenges and is committed to improving their situation
The Presidency has condemned those who have labelled President Bola Ahmed Tinubu with various nicknames in response to the country’s current economic situation, claiming that the President is not ‘T-pain’ and feels Nigerians’ pain.
Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser for the President on Information and Strategy, made this statement on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics Sunday.
According to him, the use of T-Pain, as it is known on social media, is not for Tinubu, stating that the President understands Nigerians’ challenges and is committed to improving their situation.
Responding to questions, Onanuga addressed social media criticism, specifically the nickname “T-pain” that some have assigned to Tinubu.
He dismissed this as “mischievous,” emphasising that Tinubu has not taken office to bring hardship but rather to rebuild Nigeria’s economy.
Onanuga said, “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”.
Nigerians are grappling with the weight of unprecedented food inflation, and energy prices which have quadrupled in the last year.
Recall that the President, upon assumption of office in 2023, implemented twin policies of petrol subsidy removal and unification of forex rates, which many people have blamed as responsible for the high living costs that have assailed the middle class.