APC Chieftain Slams Tinubu's PR Strategy, Demands Better Publicity
APC chieftain Dr. Femi Alabi highlights how inadequate public awareness and misinformation are undermining President Tinubu's achievements. This concern was raised at the inauguration of grassroots canvassers, who are tasked with bridging communication gaps and engaging citizens effectively for future electoral success.
A prominent figure within the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Femi Alabi, has voiced concerns that the significant achievements of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's administration are being undermined by a combination of inadequate public awareness regarding federal government initiatives and persistent misinformation. This statement was made during his keynote address at the inauguration of state coordinators for the Tinubu/Shettima Grassroots Canvassers, a faction of the Concerned National APC Stakeholders Forum, held recently in Abuja.
Dr. Alabi, whose address focused on the theme, “Engendering Progressive Governance: The Role of Citizens,” emphasized that truly effective leadership is measured by its ability to translate policy decisions into noticeable improvements in the lives of citizens. He further highlighted that existing communication gaps and prevailing socio-economic challenges are actively obscuring the administration's progress. He defined progressive governance as encompassing good governance, accountability, economic growth, infrastructure development, enhanced security, and adherence to the rule of law. However, he cautioned that factors such as misinformation, political intolerance, high youth unemployment, limited civic participation, and insufficient public awareness of government programs actively threaten these endeavors.
In his call to action, Dr. Alabi urged Nigerians to transition from passive observation to active engagement in national development. He specifically tasked the newly appointed grassroots canvassers with serving as a crucial ethical link between the government and the electorate. He stipulated that grassroots mobilization must be conducted with unwavering integrity, discipline, respect for diverse viewpoints, and a steadfast commitment to lawful democratic processes. Furthermore, he advocated for strengthened collaboration among various government bodies, civil society organizations, and local communities to ensure cohesive development efforts.
Adding to these directives, Dr. Dominic Alancha, the National Coordinator of the Forum, instructed the sub-national coordinators to immediately disseminate the administration’s progress report to the grassroots. This initiative is strategically aligned with the preparations for the 2027 general elections. Dr. Alancha underscored the critical importance of local-level engagement, asserting that electoral success is ultimately determined at the community level. He therefore directed the canvassers to establish robust and functional networks extending down to local government areas, wards, and individual polling units.
Dr. Alancha articulated that the campaign should be characterized by ideas, engagement, persuasion, and demonstrable performance, explicitly rejecting any reliance on intimidation or abuse. He urged the coordinators to perceive their roles not as a political privilege, but as a dedicated public service. He clarified their multifaceted responsibilities as grassroots communicators, attentive listeners, effective mobilizers, and credible ambassadors. Their mandate includes genuinely listening to the concerns of Nigerians, accurately explaining government policies, and countering misinformation with verifiable facts, rather than resorting to insults or political hostility.