A former governorship aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party in Ogun State, Segun Showunmi, has criticized President Bola Tinubu over the recent restructuring of his media team.
On Monday, Tinubu approved a new arrangement that positions his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, alongside newly appointed Sunday Dare and Daniel Bwala, to serve jointly as his spokespersons.
Showunmi, however, questioned the rationale for appointing more than two individuals to handle the presidency’s communication, describing the decision as counterproductive. He argued that the era of using “attack dogs” for media engagement is outdated, stressing the importance of credibility and authenticity in fostering good governance and public trust.
“For someone who has built and invested significantly in the media and enjoyed widespread support during his presidential campaign, it’s baffling to see such confusion and disarray in assembling a straightforward, efficient, and purpose-driven media team,” Showunmi remarked.
He criticized the team composition, describing it as a “cacophony of misfits” ranging from individuals he deemed too old for the demands of modern media to others lacking real access or understanding of Nigeria’s media landscape.
Showunmi added, “If the President cannot assemble a coherent media team, how can he motivate them to achieve results? What exactly is their role? He seems to confuse media management with public relations, blending it with social media optimisation and spokesperson duties. In an era where believability is paramount, and the youth are redefining engagement, his approach feels outdated.”
He urged Tinubu to reorganize the media team and appoint a clear leader with cabinet-level authority to coordinate its activities. According to Showunmi, a defined leadership structure would streamline communication and provide the media, particularly international outlets, with a single point of contact for matters concerning the presidency.
Drawing a comparison, he noted, “Former President Buhari had just two primary figures: Femi Adesina as the lead and Mallam Garba Shehu in a supporting role, both with clearly defined responsibilities.”
Showunmi recommended that Tinubu designate one individual as the Special Adviser in charge, while others could assume roles such as Senior Special Assistants or Personal Assistants. “The responsibility must rest on one table, not multiple tables,” he emphasized.