Taiwo Adeyemi
Claim: “President Tinubu Speaks” a broadcast message that has gone viral on Whatsapp groups claims that President Tinubu has promised to reduce the cost of governance in a nationwide broadcast.
Verdict: The Presidency in a statement issued by President Tinubu’s Media Aide, Bayo Onanuga has debunked the statement. The claim is FALSE and MISLEADING.
Full Text
A broadcast message has gone viral on many Whatsapp groups claiming that President Bola Tinubu has addressed Nigerians with a promise to cut down cost of governance ahead of the planned nationwide protests.
The current economic hardship in Nigeria has prompted some youths to organize a nationwide protest tagged #Endbadgovernance across the 36 States of the Federal and Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
According to the organizers, the protest will start on 1st August, 2024 to call the government’s attention to the economic reality of the nation and for the government to take action.
Nigerian inflation according to the Nigerian Bureau of Statistics is 34.19% in June, 2024, which many have attributed to Tinubu’s subsidy removal ans naira floating.
According to the viral broadcast message, Mr Tinubu promised to cut his salary and emolument by 50% and called on the members of the Senate to make the same sacrifice.
“Effective immediately, I am announcing a 50% reduction in my salary and all other emoluments. I call upon the Vice President, Senate President, and all other top government officials to follow suit. We who have been entrusted with leadership must be the first to make sacrifices for the good of our nation”.
The message further mentioned that the Office of the first lady will be scrapped, idle aircraft will be sold, reduced Ministers to 36, fuel and electricity subsidy will be restored and more.
“The Office of the First Lady will be scrapped to reduce unnecessary expenditures”.
“We will sell off several presidential aircraft that are currently idle, retaining only those essential for official duties”.
“Government ministries will be consolidated, with a maximum of 36 ministers to streamline operations and reduce costs”.
“Fuel and electricity subsidies will be restored to provide immediate relief to our citizens, while we work on long-term solutions to our energy challenges”.
“All government officials will be mandated to use locally manufactured products, including automobiles, to support our domestic industries and reduce foreign exchange outflows.
“A significant reduction in the number of political appointees and aides across all levels of government”.
“The implementation of a comprehensive e-governance system to reduce bureaucracy and improve efficiency”.
“A review and renegotiation of all government contracts to ensure value for money”.
“The introduction of a performance-based budgeting system to ensure that every naira spent delivers tangible results for our people”.
“A freeze on non-essential foreign trips by government officials, with a shift towards virtual meetings and conferences”.
“Effective immediately, there will be no more foreign trips for medical treatment for myself, my cabinet, and all government officials. We will use Nigerian hospitals and medical facilities. This measure will not only save foreign exchange but also demonstrate our commitment to improving our healthcare system. We must have faith in our own doctors and nurses, and work together to enhance the quality of healthcare available to all Nigerians”.
Verification
A statement issued by Presidential Special Adviser on Communication and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga on X called on Nigerians to ignore the concocted broadcast.
He said “Please ignore the text of an alleged broadcast said to have been made by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu”.
“It is totally false. It is the handiwork of mischief makers, people bent on sowing confusion and chaos in our country. Please ignore it. President Tinubu has not made any broadcast”.
A search through the official communication channels of the presidency did not inform the citizens about any planned nationwide broadcast by President Bola Tinubu.
The researcher discovered that the last time Mr Tinubu addressed the nation in a nationwide broadcast was on 12th June, 2024 during the Democracy Day celebration which was announced on 11th June 2024.
Also, no reputable media outlets report it or make any story about it.
Conclusion
A viral Whatsapp broadcast message that President Bola Tinubu addressed the nation and promised to cut down the cost of governance is FALSE and MISLEADING.
The researcher produced this fact-check to facilitate the ethos of “truth” in journalism and enhance media literacy in the country