President Bola Tinubu needs to ensure coordination within his media team following his appointment of Daniel Bwala as a media aide.
Development Diaries reports that Bwala recently announced that he had taken over as presidential spokesman.
Meanwhile, the president’s Special Advisor on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, who has been acting as presidential spokesman since the exit of Ajuri Ngelale in September, said there was no single spokesperson for Tinubu but three
The conflicting statements from Bwala and Onanuga reveal not only a lack of coordination within the media team but also an unclear hierarchy in the presidency’s public communication structure.
This disarray is likely to create confusion among citizens and stakeholders, further eroding trust in the administration’s messaging.
This is not the first time the president’s media team will be enmeshed in controversy.
In May 2024, there was confusion when two separate statements were issued by Onanuga and Ngelale about Tinubu’s activities marking his one year in office.
Also, in August 2024, the Senior Special Assistant on Digital/New Media to the President, O’tega Ogra, posted a video of Tinubu appealing to Nigerians.
Meanwhile, Onanuga countered Tinubu and Ogra’s posts, in an X post he later deleted, saying the video was a clip from the president’s 2023 broadcast.
Frequent controversies in the presidency’s media operations are already undermining public trust in government communication.
When citizens cannot ascertain which spokesperson or statement represents the president’s stance, they may perceive the government as disorganised or dishonest.
This skepticism can hinder the effectiveness of government policies and initiatives that rely on clear and persuasive communication to garner public support and compliance.
Such inconsistencies also affect citizen participation in governance. A well-informed populace is key to fostering active civic engagement and trust in democratic processes.
Citizens may disengage when it appears government updates are contradictory or ambigous, believing that their concerns or feedback will not reach an organised or responsive administration.
Moreover, the credibility of government communication is critical for national and international relations. Within the country, it determines how citizens perceive the government’s sincerity, while abroad, it shapes the perception of Nigeria’s stability and governance.
Development Diaries calls on President Tinubu to clarify his official spokesperson to ensure coordination and project a unified voice, ensuring that all announcements align with the administration’s objectives.
Photo source: Bola Tinubu