- Says “T-Pain” moniker directed at the President is mischief-driven and a non-issue
Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to the President, Information & Strategy, says those calling President Bola Ahmed Tinubu T-Pain on social media, are mischievous.
He said that Tinubu did not deserve the nickname as he was already the challenges being faced by Nigerians.
Onanuga, who was speaking on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, said Tinubu was unaware that people were calling him T- Pain but was conscious of improving the lives of Nigerians.
“The President is aware that the citizens are going through some difficulties,” he said.
Onanuga stated, “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.”
Speaking on the positive economic trends under his boss, Onanuga said: “In the first half of this year, we recorded about $9.1 trillion in revenue,” noting that this achievement was made without significant revenue from oil, a sector traditionally relied upon by the Nigerian economy. “Mainly, the money collected came from industries, from other sources.”
The Presidential Spokesperson disagreed that the economy regressing, but rather “improving,” pointing to the export figures, which have surpassed imports, a development he termed a “positive sign.”
The Special Adviser went on: “Look at the stock market -people who invested there are making money. Our stock index has gone up to about 100, 000.”
Acknowledging some of the challenges, Onanuga expressed confidence that upcoming harvests would help bring prices down.
“The CBN has been hiking interest rates because it wants to control inflation. Food inflation is the main driver,” he said.