Tinubu Is Not T-pain, He Is Working Very Hard – Presidency

Bayo Onanuga, President Bola Tinubu’s special adviser on information and strategy, has responded to growing criticism of Tinubu’s nickname “T-pain,” a social media moniker.

The word “T-pain,” a mix of “Tinubu” and “pain,” indicates public dissatisfaction with Nigeria’s economic woes and is extensively used online.

In an interview with Channels Television, Onanuga stated that President Tinubu is cognizant of Nigerians’ challenges but is committed to rebuilding the economy. “The president is aware that the citizens are going through some difficulties,” he said.

He also dismissed the social media nickname as irrelevant to Tinubu’s mission: “The president does not read what is on social media… Some people out of mischief just say somebody is a T-pain. He [Tinubu] is not T-pain.”

Onanuga insisted that while Tinubu’s policies may bring short-term hardship, they are aimed at long-term economic reform. “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. “We are experiencing economic growth, despite inflation; revenues have increased.”

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar slammed Tinubu earlier this month, referring to him as “T-pain” and challenging his attitude to economic hardship, particularly the rise in petrol prices. Atiku stated, “It is even more worrying that T-pain is undisturbed by the hardship in the country,” blaming the present economic woes on the administration’s attitude to fuel subsidy management.

With Nigeria confronting inflation and economic challenges, Tinubu’s administration is under increasing public scrutiny, but Onanuga insists that the president is focused on the country’s long-term success.

A Gentle Reminder: Every obstacle is a stepping stone, every morning; a chance to go again, and those little steps take you closer to your dream.

Nnamdi Okoli