Presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, has insisted that President Bola Tinubu is deeply aware of the struggles Nigerians face, countering accusations that the President is indifferent to citizens’ hardships.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics on Sunday, Onanuga dismissed social media nicknames labelling Tinubu as “T-pain” as mischievous, reiterating that the President is committed to turning Nigeria’s economic fortunes around.
“President Tinubu feels the pain of Nigerians and assures them that relief is on the horizon.
“Some have resorted to calling him ‘T-pain’ out of mischief, but he is not that. He’s here to heal, not to hurt,” Onanuga stressed.
Onanuga’s comments follow criticisms that have berated Tinubu’s economic reforms, particularly the removal of petrol subsidies and forex unification.
These policies have driven sharp increases in the cost of food, fuel, and other essentials, sparking widespread frustration among citizens.
However, the Presidential aide maintained that the policies are aimed at “repairing the economy” rather than inflicting hardship.
“The President has never shied away from acknowledging that Nigerians are going through difficult times. He is working tirelessly to provide relief and ensure that the nation moves towards a future of prosperity,” he explained.
Despite high inflation and soaring living costs, Onanuga emphasised that the administration is seeing signs of economic growth and increased revenues, which he claims point to a brighter economic outlook.
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“This is a painful transition, but it’s part of a long-term strategy to stabilize and grow the economy,” he said.
In recent months, citizens have staged protests, demanding a reversal of the government’s economic policies, which have hit the middle class particularly hard.
Due to the harsh economic reality biting hard on many Nigerians, the young ones coined a nick name for the president, ‘T-pain’, as it is widely believed that Tinubu’s government brought about the hardship.
Onanuga, however, maintained that the present administration remains steadfast, viewing the reforms as essential steps toward sustainable growth.
