Phrank Shaibu, the Special Assistant on Public Communication to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, has accused Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to President Bola Tinubu, of trying to whitewash the harsh economic realities plaguing the nation.
Naijaonpoint reports that on Tuesday Night, Onanuga dismissed Shaibu’s criticism of the incumbent administration in a post on X.
He said, “Phrank, you know your problem? You have a problem of perception, and you only see the bad sides, not the positive news.”
Reacting on Wednesday, Shaibu described Onanuga’s comments as “gaslighting,” insisting that the suffering of Nigerians is not a matter of perception but a daily, painful reality.
Speaking via X, Shaibu wrote, “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.”
Shaibu went on to provide a detailed list of economic hardships that he said have worsened since President Tinubu assumed office.
“You talk about “positive news” while the country is bleeding. Let’s break it down so even your echo chamber can understand:
“A bag of rice that cost ₦28,000 before Tinubu is now over ₦80,000. Petrol that was ₦184 per litre is now selling between ₦700 and ₦900.
“The naira was ₦460 to $1. Now it’s crashing between ₦1,500 and ₦1,600. Electricity tariffs have spiked by over 300%, yet Nigerians live in darkness. Transport fares have doubled, sometimes tripled.”
He further lamented the collapse of essential services, stating, “School fees are out of reach. Hospitals demand deposits before touching patients. And yes, even pure water, water, Bayo, is now ₦50 per sachet.”
Shaibu added, “These are not abstract figures. These are the daily realities of millions. People are skipping meals.
“Children are dropping out of school. Businesses are shutting down. And what does your government do? Celebrate imaginary progress and cook up numbers nobody can verify.”
He accused Tinubu’s administration of being out of touch with the people, stating, “The only thing growing in Nigeria today is hardship, and your nerve to tell Nigerians that they aren’t seeing things clearly.”
Shaibu further stated, “There’s no perception problem here, Bayo. The problem is the cruel, detached, and delusional leadership that you shamelessly defend.
“While you sit in Abuja spinning fairy tales, Nigerians are in the trenches fighting for survival.
“Face it: Tinubu’s economic policies have wrecked the country. And no amount of press statements or media gymnastics will change that fact.”