Atiku’s Aide Berates Presidency’s “Gaslighting” as Nigerians Grapple, Soaring Inflation, Fuel Crisis and Worsening Poverty

 

Accusations of dishonesty and manipulation have intensified as Phrank Shaibu, the Special Assistant on Public Communication to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, unleashed a scathing critique of Bayo Onanuga, President Bola Tinubu's Special Adviser on Information and Strategy. Shaibu took to the social media platform X to confront Onanuga, accusing him of spreading falsehoods about the current state of the Nigerian economy.

The verbal exchange began after Onanuga posted a response on X dismissing Shaibu’s persistent criticisms of President Tinubu’s economic direction. Onanuga suggested that Shaibu’s outlook was marred by negative perception, stating, “Phrank, you know your problem? You have a problem of perception, and you only see the bad sides, not the positive news.”

Refusing to let the comment slide, Shaibu responded by calling Onanuga’s statements a clear attempt to manipulate public opinion. He argued that what Nigerians are facing is far beyond a perception issue and squarely rooted in real suffering. “Bayo, stop gaslighting Nigerians. This isn’t about perception, it’s about pain. And no amount of propaganda can deodorise the stench of this administration’s failure,” he wrote.

Shaibu didn't stop at rhetoric; he laid out several specific examples of economic decline that he claims are undeniable under Tinubu's leadership. He emphasized the sharp rise in the cost of living, from basic food items to transport and energy. According to him, a bag of rice that previously sold for ₦28,000 now goes for over ₦80,000, while petrol prices have spiked from ₦184 per litre to between ₦700 and ₦900.

The value of the naira, he noted, has plunged alarmingly. From trading at ₦460 to a dollar before Tinubu assumed office, it now fluctuates between ₦1,500 and ₦1,600. The currency depreciation, combined with electricity tariff increases of more than 300%, has left many households reeling under the weight of economic pressure.

Shaibu also pointed to the crisis in public services. “School fees are out of reach. Hospitals demand deposits before touching patients. And yes, even pure water, water, Bayo, is now ₦50 per sachet,” he lamented. These statistics, he argued, are not just numbers but daily battles for survival for millions of Nigerians.

Children dropping out of school, families skipping meals, and businesses shutting their doors have become commonplace, he claimed. Shaibu insisted that this widespread suffering is not some abstract economic theory but a lived reality that cannot be obscured by polished press releases or choreographed media statements.

He accused the presidency of celebrating fictitious achievements and publishing unverifiable progress reports, while the actual condition on the ground continues to deteriorate. “The only thing growing in Nigeria today is hardship, and your nerve to tell Nigerians that they aren’t seeing things clearly,” he said, directly addressing Onanuga.

Shaibu’s remarks reflect growing frustration among citizens and opposition figures who believe that the Tinubu administration is disconnected from the grassroots and unwilling to accept the dire consequences of its policies. He charged Onanuga with defending what he called a “cruel, detached, and delusional leadership,” one that, according to him, appears more concerned with public image than real solutions.

While the presidency continues to assert that reforms are underway and improvements are being made, critics argue that the lived experience of Nigerians paints a far bleaker picture. The rising cost of living, ongoing foreign exchange instability, and eroding access to basic services suggest, they claim, that any claims of progress are wildly overstated.

Shaibu concluded his post by reiterating that no amount of spin from Onanuga or the presidency could erase the reality faced by the Nigerian people. “Face it: Tinubu’s economic policies have wrecked the country. And no amount of press statements or media gymnastics will change that fact,” he wrote.

This escalating war of words highlights the broader national debate over Nigeria’s economic direction and the urgency many feel to address deepening poverty and financial instability. Whether or not the government will pivot or dig deeper into its current strategy remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the voices of dissent are growing louder, and they are not backing down.