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Phrank Shaibu, the Special Assistant on Public Communication to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, has sharply criticized the Federal Government following President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s announcement of a two-week vacation. This decision has sparked controversy as many view it as the president abandoning the country amid significant economic turmoil.
In response to the backlash, Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to Tinubu on Information and Strategy, stated in a press release that the president should be allowed to enjoy his “private time” without disturbance. He emphasized that President Tinubu is on leave and not restricted to the UK, implying that he is free to travel as he wishes.
However, Shaibu took to his X handle to deride Onanuga’s remarks, calling them insensitive given the current economic climate in Nigeria. He quipped, “The president is on vacation and can jet off to wherever his heart desires, because apparently, leadership is like a Netflix subscription – you can pause it whenever you please.”
He highlighted the struggles faced by Nigerians, noting that they are grappling with rising fuel prices, inflation, and insecurity, while the government appears indifferent to their plight. Shaibu’s critique extended to the notion that public office should not be treated as a “personal getaway,” insisting that leaders must be accountable at all times, even during leave.
Shaibu also expressed disdain for Onanuga’s comments, suggesting they reflect a lack of concern for citizens, who he feels are treated as mere afterthoughts. He concluded that Nigerians deserve leadership that responds to the severity of the challenges they face, rather than one that treats governance as a leisure activity.
