Hardship: Tinubu Not Happy Nigerians Call Him ‘Tpain’ On Social Media– Aso Rock Sources
President Bola Tinubu is reportedly feeling the heat at the State House, frustrated by Nigerians’ growing discontent over the escalating economic crisis, which has led to him being dubbed ‘Tpain’ just months into his administration.
This revelation comes from an internal memo and aides who are privy to the president’s sentiments.
During a recent meeting at the Presidential Villa, Tinubu expressed to his guests and aides that he was “very sad” about the persistent blame his administration receives for the deepening economic woes.
Sources indicate that he lamented that many citizens prefer to mock him rather than engage in constructive dialogue to address the nation’s challenges.
“The president has been very sad and not hiding his frustration over how quickly the so-called Tpain label was allowed to spread on social media. The president was mostly angry with unpatriotic people who sit on social media to call him names without offering any unique solutions of their own but only to malign the government,” an aide disclosed to Peoples Gazette.
Another aide corroborated this, with both officials requesting anonymity to avoid administrative repercussions.
They indicated that while the president is not seeking to stifle free speech, he is concerned about how such derision detracts from the government’s ability to fulfill its promises.
“We’re just trying to determine where the campaign to humiliate the president and people working for him is coming from. The president respects the rights of Nigerians to express themselves, but some of us will push back hard against the attackers before they do further damage to the country’s image,” one official said.
A presidential spokesperson, however, declined to comment on this matter.
The origins of the ‘Tpain’ label, a play on Tinubu’s last name and inspired by American rapper T-Pain, have been difficult to pinpoint, but its popularity surged recently, particularly after a post on X that discussed the president’s visit to flood victims in Maiduguri on September 16.
The derogatory nickname has proliferated on social media, becoming a fixture of online discourse about the president, despite efforts from the administration to target prominent critics.
One notable adversary, Pidom Nigeria, who has publicly condemned the Tinubu government, was detained for several weeks earlier this year.
While nicknames for leaders are not new in Nigeria, Tinubu stands out as the first to openly express concern over his social media label.
Since taking office in May 2023, the Nigerian economy has faced severe challenges, including a skyrocketing U.S. dollar exchange rate that reached N1,900 last week, exacerbating inflation and hunger among citizens.
As food prices continue to rise, cities like Kano and Ibadan have witnessed protests over the unaffordability of basic goods.
The youth unemployment rate has surged to 51% since Tinubu’s presidency began, intensifying public frustration.
In response to these challenges, the administration has promised to implement reforms and is focusing on measures such as rolling out gas-powered vehicles and lifting tariffs on essential food imports.
Despite these efforts, many Nigerians are losing patience, calling into question Tinubu’s ability to deliver on the progressive social and economic policies he championed as a pro-democracy activist.
