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Atiku's Aide Hits Keyamo Over Tinubu's 'Myth of Invincibility'
🇳🇬 Nigeria /Elections & Politics

Atiku's Aide Hits Keyamo Over Tinubu's 'Myth of Invincibility'

From Vanguard · (2d ago) English Critical tone

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • Festus Keyamo, Nigeria's Aviation Minister, praised President Bola Tinubu's political journey from opposition to the presidency.
  • Phrank Shaibu, an aide to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, countered that political wins are meaningless without tangible governance results.
  • Shaibu criticized Tinubu's administration, stating that Nigerians are more concerned with rising hunger, insecurity, and the cost of living than past political maneuvering.

A heated exchange has erupted between Nigerian Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, and Phrank Shaibu, Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, over President Bola Tinubu's political standing. Keyamo ignited the debate with a post on X, highlighting Tinubu's "unique" path from the "deep end of opposition" to the presidency, suggesting a formidable political acumen. However, Shaibu swiftly retorted, dismissing the notion of political invincibility and asserting that governance is about delivering results, not just political victories.

The very unique thing about President Asiwaju Bola Tinubu is that he fought from the deep end of opposition to become President of Nigeria.

— Festus KeyamoPraising President Tinubu's political journey in a social media post.

Shaibu argued that while Tinubu may have excelled in opposition politics, the current reality for Nigerians is defined by pressing issues such as escalating hunger, persistent insecurity, and an unbearable cost of living. He contended that the "myth of invincibility" is a last resort for a failing narrative and that being "100 steps ahead" should translate into improved lives for citizens, not mere political maneuvering. Shaibu pointedly stated that the current administration appears to be struggling to address the crises it faces, suggesting that no amount of "myth-making" can obscure the truth of its performance.

Tinubu may have excelled in opposition politics, but governance is about results, not rhetoric.

— Phrank ShaibuResponding to Keyamo's praise of President Tinubu.

"Governance is not a game of chess; it is a duty to deliver results," Shaibu declared, emphasizing that Nigerians are not interested in past political battles but in present-day solutions. He questioned the value of strategy if it fails to put food on the table, ensure safety, or restore dignity to the average citizen. Shaibu concluded that governance requires compassion, competence, and courage, and that propaganda cannot mask the stark reality of empty pockets and unsafe communities, portraying the government as disconnected from the people's pain.

The myth of invincibility is often the last refuge of a failing narrative.

— Phrank ShaibuCriticizing the narrative surrounding President Tinubu's political strength.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Vanguard in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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