Lagos Poll: PR Experts Fault Tinubu’s Aide, Bayo Ononuga’s Comment on Igbos in Lagos
By Kabir Abdulsalam
Public Relations experts have faulted the statement of the spokesperson for the President-elect, Bola Tinubu, Bayo Onanuga, warning Igbos in Lagos State to stop “interfering” in the State’s politics.
They argued that Onanuga should have used strategic means to communicate peace, unity, and nation building rather than settle for destructive comments.
Onanuga had in a tweet warned Igbos in Lagos, saying this year (2023) should be the last time they interfere in Lagos politics, adding that the state belongs to Yorubas.
He tweeted on Saturday night following the conclusion of the governorship election.
Sule Ya’u Sule had this to say: “he was non-PR, naive and nepotistic. If not address it will give the new administration a bad name. At the beginning when all needed to be carried onboard, coming with this kind of insinuation will spell doom for the reputation of the incoming administration.
“Igbos are Nigerians, you need their good will to succeed not rejection. Honestly it was a bad start”.
The Dean, School of Impactful Communication, Ayodele Ishola noted that Bayo’s statement is a classic example of a theory ‘Communication without Communicating’.
He said, “Communication is not talking, it is mind connection. The ability to get the other person to see, hear and feel what you saw, heard and felt.”
“The job of a spokesperson is akin to perception and reputation management skill set which are only domicile in the field of Public Relations.
“A PR grounded spokesperson would have focus on using strategic means to communicate peace, unity, nation building and collective prosperity so as to position his/her principal as a unifier, a visionary leader and a nation builder.
Explaining further, Ayodele said “No matter how well a dog barks it will never sing like a bird. It is high time our political leaders accepted that the real job of leadership is Communication and hence, allow only Certified PR professionals to lead their communication teams.
Also another PR guru, Dr. Dennis Ekemezie, a Fellow to NIPR noted that Bayo has been a Frontline Journalist and NEVER a PR Practioner like, Sam Epelle, Henry Offornry Bob Ogbuagu, Senibor Bob Sofiri Brown. Muhamed Abdullahi.
“He is playing smart as Fifth columnist’ to be considered for appointment as Media Adviser.
“I strongly advise Bayo as Esteemed Public Opinion Moulder, He should ‘Avoid Acting On Ethnic Emotional Out-Burst To Earn Meal Ticket'”, he noted.
