Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s Special Assistant on Public Communications, Phrank Shaibu, Slams BBC Over Tinubu’s Certificate Controversy
ABUJA/Nigeria: In a scathing rebuke, the former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s Special Assistant on Public Communications, Phrank Shaibu, has vehemently criticized the BBC over its fact-check report concerning President Bola Tinubu’s Chicago State University (CSU) certificate. The BBC’s report stated that there was no evidence to suggest that Tinubu’s CSU certificate was forged.
Shaibu, in a statement issued on Wednesday, described the BBC’s report as a “hatchet job” and contended that the widespread outrage it triggered among Nigerians was evidence of the BBC’s mistake in their fact-check. He asserted that the BBC’s actions were not surprising, as they were in line with a previous statement he had issued, where he disclosed that the Tinubu administration was preparing to launch a comprehensive propaganda campaign.
Shaibu stated, “Sometime last week, when the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) issued a final warning to Arise News TV, we pointed out that the Tinubu administration was on the verge of launching a full-blown propaganda campaign and intimidating ‘uncooperative’ media outlets to discredit and downplay the CSU scandal. Sadly, we never imagined that it would be the BBC that would become the willing tool.”
He went on to express his dismay at the BBC’s bias towards the current government, suggesting that it was unfortunate that the BBC did not uphold the same standards as they did in the UK. Shaibu pointed to the BBC’s exclusive interviews with Tinubu in the past year as evidence of this bias, further noting that it was disheartening for the BBC to provide a platform for a man accused of illegal drug trafficking in the United States.
Shaibu criticized the BBC’s fact-check report, highlighting that they buried the crucial fact that Tinubu claimed to have attended Government College, Lagos in 1970, a year before the school was established in 1974. He questioned the essence of the report for failing to address critical questions, such as the year Tinubu obtained his CSU certificate and whether it was the same one submitted to INEC.
Shaibu called on the BBC and other fact-checkers to exercise greater caution, emphasizing the sensitivity of their role. He also pointed to a similar incident involving Africa Check, which had initially refuted claims about Tinubu’s education but later proved to be inaccurate, highlighting the need for more reliable fact-checking.
In addition, Shaibu criticized President Tinubu for holding only one cabinet meeting since taking office, despite having the largest cabinet in Nigeria’s history. He questioned Tinubu’s readiness for governance, given the constitutional requirement for regular meetings with his ministers to determine government policies.
He argued that Tinubu’s administration had brought hardship to Nigerians, including inflation, a weakened currency, and insecurity, and that this lack of progress and communication with his cabinet was raising questions among concerned Nigerians.
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