Show discipline, calling Atiku names not an argument – Shaibu slams Presidency

Phrank Shaibu, the Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication to the African Democratic Congress, ADC, presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, on Saturday tackled the Presidency for describing the former vice president as a “veteran presidential candidate.”

President Bola Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, made the remark following Dangote Refinery’s warning that changes to the government fuel price control and subsidy restoration would affect refining margins.

Reacting, Shaibu noted that Onanuga’s remark was not an argument, stressing that he should show some “discipline on the temptation to substitute adolescent mockery for serious engagement.”

Posting on X, Shaibu wrote: “@aonanuga1956, “veteran presidential candidate” is not an argument. It is what remains when the argument has left the room.

“I have already responded fully to your colleague’s attempt to recycle this same claim. Kindly read that response before volunteering another version of the same confusion.

“You are, after all, a presidential spokesman. One would expect the office to impose some discipline on the temptation to substitute adolescent mockery for serious engagement.”

Shaibu faulted the Presidency for resorting to name-calling, stressing that there is nothing wrong with disagreeing with the former vice president.

“There is nothing wrong with disagreeing with Atiku. But if the best contribution from the Presidency is name-calling followed by a link its own spokesmen have not properly interrogated, then the problem is no longer Atiku’s policy.

“It is the quality of argument coming from the Villa. My response to your colleague stands. Read it carefully. I have no intention of marking the same homework twice,” he added.