By Matthew Mahmood
(December 13, 1953 – June 2, 1998)
We used to watch a notorious American wrestler on TV called Junkyard Dog. He usually went to the wrestling ring with a dog collar, and chain leash while the song, 'Another one bites the dust' by Queen was played. His triumphant stage entry made him stand out among his peers. At the time, we did not realize that Sylvester Ritter aka Junkyard Dog (JYD) was a political scientist, and footballer cum wrestler.
The recent 'JYD' politics of the presidency ‘rocked’ various cheeks with laughter especially when Dr Doyin Okupe, the Senior Special Assistant on Public Affairs to President Goodluck Jonathan claimed to be “attack lion” and not “attack dog”. On AIT, he said that critics were unfair to him by calling him the president’s “attack dog”. To be fair on him, the media later exposed his alleged shady deals in different states. Physician Okupe was also former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s spokesman.
Dr Reuben Abati, the President’s Media and Publicity Special Adviser, and Okupe should not bully critics on behalf of President Jonathan. For them to directly and indirectly assume that critics should not criticize Jonathan is undemocratic. Apart from these ‘spin-bullies’, there is Jonathan's ‘adopted political family’ e.g., ‘Mama’ Anikko Briggs, ‘Papa’ Edwin Clark, and ‘brother’ Mujahid Asari-Dokubo who confront the opposition from time to time. The only member of the spin machinery that has gained support from the masses, after deciding to turn over a new leaf is probably the Minister of Information Labaran Maku. On a recent London based TV programme, people were surprised that he was not verbally attacked by phone callers. It may be better for Okupe and Abati to use a similar approach rather than engage critics in a battle of words.
Okupe and Abati should never assume that they could win a battle with the social media. Even Prince Charles could not stop the social media from publishing the naked photographs of his son, Prince Harry in Vegas. Harry’s lawyers 'sent warning letters to national newspapers via the Press Complaints Commission stating that if they were printed they would then breach PCC guidelines'. The Sun newspaper later went ahead to damn the consequences by publishing the photograph after using models, and explained that Harry had compromised his privacy. The Sun adhered to journalism ethics, which approved the freedom of the press.
It is unfortunate that a spinmeister tried to give the wrong impression that the masses dislike Jonathan. We think the masses just dislike the way they are governed, and have the right to grumble. Did Abati and Okupe expect most Nigerians to keep mute, and continue to suffer in silence? Moreover, the presidency has failed to promote inclusion, equality, and diversity by making unwarranted utterances.
President Jonathan is not communicating effectively with the masses. His Facebook ‘spin office’ is no longer effective. Hiring 'JYDs' to do his job is not working, but denting his image severely. He needs to make himself more available for interviews, and go on more public visits to deprived parts of the country. He needs to solve problems, and put a smile on the faces of a lot of Nigerians if he wants people to 'stop' criticizing him. He needs to explain why he pays former Niger Delta militants $40 million yearly for nothing, and why he gave N5.6 billion contracts to former Niger Delta terrorists. His spin doctors are not ready to offer credible explanation. He also needs to tell Nigerians why his wife, First Lady Patience Jonathan is outsourcing her duties from the presidential villa as an unqualified secretary in Bayelsa State, which is far away. Are other state permanent secretaries in Nigeria allowed to outsource their duties? No! Most of all, he needs to prove his critics wrong by achieving progress in office. 'JYD' bullying tactics are a waste of time.
