Ex-Ganduje Aide Slams Tinubu’s Media Team: Calls for Mass Sacking Over Embarrassing Social Media Blunder
In a bold and widely circulated social media post, Salihu Tanko Yakasai, a former media aide to ex-Kano Governor Ganduje, has publicly chastised President Bola Tinubu’s communications team for a recent blunder on the President’s official social media handle. Yakasai blasted the team as “embarrassing,” demanding the immediate dismissal of the entire presidential media staff. The fiery rebuke has ignited widespread online discussion, raising serious concerns about content oversight and professionalism in the presidency’s digital messaging operation.
Backdrop: The Slip That Sparked Criticism
The controversy began when a post—deemed misleading—was published by the President’s official handle @officialABAT. Shortly after going live, the post was deleted, drawing sharp rebuke from Yakasai. In his response, he labeled the mistake “really embarrassing” and suggested drastic housekeeping: “The handler should be fired, in fact all your 10 media aides should be fired & replaced with 1 Tolu. A simple typo shouldn’t come from the president’s official handle, let alone infograph of lies.”
This incident highlights the high-stakes nature of presidential communication in the digital age, where even minor errors can trigger reputational fallout.
Who Is Salihu Tanko Yakasai?
Salihu Tanko Yakasai is notably a former media aide to Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, a prominent figure in the ruling APC and former Governor of Kano State. Yakasai has emerged as a vocal critic of certain governance decisions by President Tinubu’s administration—particularly regarding perceived regional imbalances in project allocations, which he suggests overly favor Lagos.
Although his comments often target Tinubu’s broader government strategy, this recent fallout centers squarely on communication missteps. It underscores Yakasai’s growing role as a critical voice among former insiders.
Digital PR Under Scrutiny
In today’s hyper-connected landscape, a single social media post—or its deletion—can rapidly become the subject of intense public scrutiny. This incident raises several critical questions:
Who oversees and approves posts on the President’s official account?
What verification steps are in place to avoid misinformation or factual errors?
Is accountability clear when errors occur?
Yakasai’s call for mass dismissal suggests a leadership vacuum in the presidency’s media operations—or at minimum, inadequate checks and controls.
Political Fallout and Wider Implications
Yakasai’s critique is more than a rebuke—it’s a political statement. It assumes broader significance in these main areas:
1. Credibility & Public Trust
Social media serves as an immediate pipeline to citizens. An error—even if minor or unintended—can erode confidence in official messaging and the overall competence of the government’s communications machinery.
2. Internal Media Culture
The suggestion to replace ten media aides with a single “Tolu” sends a clear message: current systems are failing, and only bold leadership restructuring can restore content integrity.
3. Precedent for Accountability
If no action follows this call, it may deepen public and press skepticism. Conversely, responsive corrective measures—like reviewing editorial protocols—could restore some faith.
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