Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo’s claim that President Bola Tinubu holds a political edge

Phrank Shaibu, Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, has faulted Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo’s claim that President Bola Tinubu holds a political edge over opposition figures ahead of 2027, arguing that governance should be judged by living conditions, not past political victories.

The latest exchange began after Keyamo posted on his verified X account on Sunday, highlighting Tinubu’s political rise. “The very unique thing about President Asiwaju Bola Tinubu is that he fought from the deep end of opposition to become President of Nigeria,” the minister wrote.

Shaibu responded on his own X handle, @phrankangel, saying a record of political wins means little without results in office. “Tinubu may have excelled in opposition politics, but governance is about results, not rhetoric,” he wrote. “The myth of invincibility is often the last refuge of a failing narrative.”

In a longer statement, Shaibu argued that Nigerians are more concerned with current hardships than political history. “Today, Nigerians are not asking who once outfoxed whom in 2007; they are asking why hunger is rising, why insecurity persists, and why the cost of living has become unbearable,” he said.

He added that political foresight should translate into better conditions for citizens. “Being ‘100 steps ahead’ should reflect in better lives for citizens, not in clever political storytelling. If anything, the current realities suggest a government struggling to keep pace with the very crises confronting it.”

“History may remember political battles, but the present will judge leadership by performance, and on that scale, no amount of myth-making can mask the truth. He is an abysmal failure,” Shaibu said.

He further questioned the value of political strategy amid economic pressure. “Being ‘100 steps ahead’ scheming means nothing when millions of Nigerians are being dragged backwards by hunger, insecurity, and a collapsing standard of living. What is the value of strategy if it cannot put food on the table, secure lives, or restore dignity to the average citizen? Governance is not a masterclass in manipulation; it is a test of compassion, competence and courage.”

According to Shaibu, citizens are not swayed by references to past opposition tactics. “Today, Nigerians are not impressed by recycled opposition tactics dressed up as brilliance; they are confronted daily by empty pockets, unsafe communities, and a government that appears disconnected from their pain. No amount of propaganda can mask a reality that is this loud.”