Tinubu-Shettima Campaign Team: Top 20 Communicators to Watch
By Kabir Abdulsalam, Maryam Na-Allah
The All-Progressives Congress (APC) has finally dissolved its Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) following the victory of its flagbearer, Bola Tinubu, in the February 25 presidential election. The PCC was inaugurated in October 2022 to campaign for Tinubu and his running mate, Senator Kashim Shettima, in the build-up to the 2023 polls.
The dissolution was contained in a statement that was jointly signed by the PCC Director General, Governor Simon Lalong and the Secretary of the council, James Faleke.
It can be recalled that the Bola Ahmed Tinubu-Kashim Shettima think-tank appointed some communication strategists to lead the Media and Communication Directorate for the 2023 Presidential campaign composition.
In today’s fast-paced world, effective communication is a critical skill that goes beyond merely speaking clearly. It requires the ability to connect with people and convey ideas in a relatable and memorable way. This skill is crucial in various fields, including business, politics, and interpersonal relationships, where successful communicators can capture people’s attention, inspire, and influence change.
As the dust settles on the Nigerian presidential elections, attention is now turning to the makeup of the incoming administration. Bola Tinubu, the president-elect, will undoubtedly be looking to surround himself with a team of skilled communicators who can help him to shape the narrative of his presidency and effectively communicate his policies to the Nigerian people.
Tinubu, a former Governor of Lagos State and a prominent figure in the All Progressives Congress (APC), has a history of utilising effective communication strategies to advance his political agenda.
Incorporating this trait into his decision-making process, Tinubu hired a team of top-notch communicators during his campaign. These individuals are among the best communicators in the industry, and their remarkable contributions should not go unnoticed. As they continue to exert their influence and leave their mark on the country, they are worth keeping an eye on.
The Spokesperson’s Digest, a sister publication of PRNigeria and Economic Confidential x-rayed some of the communicators and the behind-the-scenes strategists who were very active in the campaign team that Nigerians can watch out for in his cabinet particularly. Their successes highlight the importance of hiring top-notch communicators and incorporating this skill into various fields.
The individuals in this report played different roles in four critical categories: Media Relations and Engagement; Social Media Influence; Public Affairs and Strategic Communication.
MEDIA RELATIONS AND ENGAGEMENT
This is essentially made of the experts who relate directly with the media on behalf of Tinubu and Shettima and interface with the duo on behalf of the media. They serve as a bridge between the candidates and the members of the Fourth Estate.
1 Bayo Onanuga –
A veteran journalist and former Managing Director of the News Agency of Nigeria is the Director of Media and Publicity of the Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu-Kashim Shettima 2023 Presidential campaign composition. Onanuga has a wealth of experience in media management and strategic communications. He has also served as a media advisor to the Lagos State Government and has worked on several high-profile political campaigns.
2 Tunde Rahman
A former Editor of THISDAY, the Sunday newspaper and media consultant. Rahman has worked closely with Tinubu as the spokesperson for many years and played a key role in shaping his public image. He has been involved in several successful political campaigns. Rahman worked behind the scene during the presidential campaign, he was always the go-to person on issues that concern the person of Asiwaju.
3 Ali M. Ali:
Deputy director of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Campaign Council. A seasoned public relations professional, with expertise in political communication and crisis management. He has worked with several political parties and candidates in Nigeria, providing strategic communication support and media relations services. He has extensive experience in public service, having worked in various government agencies in Nigeria. A former journalist with Triumph, This Day, and People Daily, among others, he is a respected public affairs commentator.
4 Abdul-Aziz Abdul-Aziz:
Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to Tinubu’s campaign team, Abdul-Aziz Abdul-Aziz is former Deputy Editor General of Daily Trust and an Editor at Premium Times. He also anchored a morning show for Trust TV, which is a subsidiary of the Media Trust Group. A multi-award-winning investigative journalist, Abdulaziz has deployed his expertise in crisis communication in controlling narratives among the Northern audiences through strategic news and opinion placements.
5 Kehinde Bamigbetan
A Deputy Director, Media relations for APC-Presidential Campaign Council, Kehinde Bamigbetan played a crucial role in managing the fallout from verbal gaffes made by Tinubu during the election campaign. Bamigbetan contained negative impacts of Tinubu’s controversial statements as he provides timely and effective responses to media inquiries.
SOCIAL MEDIA INFLUENCE
These are social media power houses who relate and interact with Nigerians directly on behalf of the candidates. They don’t need to go through the newspapers or the TV or radio, Nigerians are at their beck and call in millions on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram and they deal with them round the clock on issues pertaining to the campaign.
6 Femi Fani-Kayode
A former Minister of Aviation and a vocal critic of the current administration, Femi Fani-Kayode is the Director of New media (social media) at Tinubu’s communication team. He has a reputation for his strong and provocative rhetoric. He is known for his ability to frame complex issues in a way that resonates with the public and has been involved in several successful political campaigns. His quality and ability to capture attention through his speeches and social media presence cannot be overemphasised.
7 Bashir Ahmed
Special Assistant on Digital Communications to President Buhari and Deputy Director New Media Campaign Team of Bola Tinubu. He is an ardent supporter of President-elect Bola Asiwaju Tinubu and often uses his Twitter account to advocate and endorse the candidature of the Jagaban. In addition, he is not hesitant to criticize those who speak negatively about Tinubu and has expressed his dissatisfaction on multiple occasions.
8 Zara Onyinye
Queen Zara Onyinye from Anambra State is a social media personality who grew up in Lagos and is currently based in the FCT Abuja. A Ph.D. holder, she was a deputy youth coordinator for the presidential candidate of the APC Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and also a member of various arms of the ruling APC which include the APC presidential campaign council on Special Media Project Directorate and New media. She is described as a blessing to the Progressives and the wailers’ nightmares by their active engagement on social media platforms as an unrepentant Buharists and a Tinubuist.
9 Aishat Alubankudi
A London-based social worker, Aishat Alubankudi is a social media influencer using her platforms in promoting good governance, human rights, and political discourse. She was a prominent female campaigner for General Muhammadu Buhari before the 2015 elections and the re-election in 2019. She was also very active in the Tinubu/Shettima Campaign team serving in the Social Media Directorate as well as various committees of the Tinubu/Shettima Women Presidential Campaign Team
PUBLIC AFFAIRS
These are the experts who make use of essentially the mainstream media to explain policy issues and developments to Nigerians on behalf of the candidates. They are always on TV and Radio speaking to Nigerians on what the candidates have in store for them, if elected.
10 Festus Keyamo –
A lawyer and human rights activist, Keyamo has been a vocal defender of Tinubu and the APC. He is the Director of Public Affairs for the campaign. Keyamo’s background as a radical lawyer was an advantage during the campaign. His argument as a spokesperson can be considered by Tinubu to settle for him looking at his ability to present complex legal arguments in a way that is easily understandable to the public.
11 Hanatu Musawa:
a lawyer, poet, and intellectual hailing from Northern Nigeria, presently serves as the Deputy Spokesperson of the APC Presidential Council, garnering significant support from northern women. Prior to joining the campaign team of Bola Ahmed Tinubu, she had been associated with Atiku’s campaign. Musawa explained that she was inspired by Tinubu’s vision for the development of Northern Nigeria, which motivated her to join his campaign. She previously worked as a barrister, lecturer, writer, and activist, and also serves as the Deputy Director of Public Affairs for the APC PCC.
12 Ajuri Ngelale:
A broadcaster and an aide to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo. Ngelale’s presence in the team in the Public Affairs Directorate was strategic because of his knowledge of the activities of the administration. He has been parleying with the media in various outlets both locally and internationally as an active and staunch defender of Buhari’s government policies, which could have been used to discredit the campaign.
13 Kasim Afegbua
Prince Kassim Afegbua dumped the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in June 2022 and joined APC. According to him, the decision to leave the party came from his long-held position “that it is the turn of the Southern part of Nigeria to produce the next president”. He has worked closely with other members and helped to ensure that the APC’s message was consistently communicated across all channels and that the campaign remained focused on its key objectives. He is very skillful in persuasive communication and messaging.
14 Fredrick Nwabufo
Serving under the Directorate of Public Affairs for the Tinubu campaign, Fredrick Nwabufo’s regular articles tackle and address fears of the opposition. A seasoned media strategist and political commentator with vast experience in political communication, he provides his editorial prowess in shaping public opinion and driving the narrative on critical issues, which resonate to help and establish the Tinubu campaign as a force to be reckoned with in the political sphere. Before joining the campaign, he was Editor of the Cable.
STRATEGIC COMMUNICATION
These are time-tested experts who work mostly behind the scene to provide content for what other team members make use of on social media, newspapers and TV/radio. They are the strategists who work out the figures, draw the maps and get out the facts for others to make use of. They also brainstorm with the candidates and political strategists to direct the movement and pattern of the communication campaign.
15 Alhaji Mohammed Idris (Malagi)
Director of Strategic Communications for the Tinubu/Shettima Presidential Campaign Council of the All-Progressives Congress (APC). The expertise Malagi brings to his role comes from over 30 years of experience as a teacher, public relations consultant, and media mogul. In his capacity as the CEO of a leading conglomerate in Abuja, he has been the driving force behind the success of all companies within the organization. He provides communication solutions to clients in both the public and private sectors of the Nigerian economy.
16 Dele Alake
Serve as Director of Strategic Communication of the campaign. A former Commissioner for Information in Lagos State. It is no doubt Asiwaju made the task simpler by selecting people who were familiar with him from the beginning to manage his communications. Alake has been instrumental in shaping the public image of Tinubu and the APC. Alake, a former editor of the Concord newspaper and a significant member of the media teams for both Chief MKO Abiola’s 1993 presidential campaign and Tinubu’s senatorial campaign in 1991.
17 Mahmud Jega:
An esteemed intellectual and columnist, Mahmud Jega served as an in-house analyst at Arise TV and wrote a weekly column for Daily Trust and ThisDay Newspapers. Immediately after his appointment to the campaign team, he quickly enhanced the Asiwaju/Shetima narrative by utilising his influence among the northern elite. As the Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs to Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, the APC presidential candidate, he is well-equipped to bolster the media team.
18 Louis Odion:
A veteran journalist and Senior Technical Assistant on Media to President Buhari, Louis Odion plays a crucial role in the strategic communication team of the Tinubu Campaign team. A Fellow of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, he held senior editorial positions at the National Concord, ThisDay, and SUN newspapers before he became the Managing Director and Editor-in-chief at the National Life newspaper. He was later appointed Commissioner for Information and Orientation in Edo State. He is a celebrated syndicated columnist.
19 Modibbo Kawu:
A political scientist, columnist, media commentator, and broadcaster, Ishaq Modibbo Kawu has held various positions in the Nigerian media industry including Editor Daily Trust. Prior to his appointment as an Assistant Director on Tinubu’s team, Kawu served as former and Director-General of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) and Chairman of the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON).
20 Lanre Issa-Onilu
With over three decades of experience in image management and the media industry, Lanre Issa-Onilu brings a wealth of expertise to his role as the Deputy Director of Strategic Communications for the Tinubu/Shettima Presidential Campaign Council. Prior to his current position, he served as National Publicity Secretary for the All Progressives Congress. Onilu is also well-versed in crisis communication, policy analysis, and development issues.
