Adedayo Showemimo: Road to 2027 – Tinubu and his army of experienced spokesmen

As Nigeria approaches the 2027 general elections, the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has established a robust communications ecosystem, comprising a wide range of political communicators and spokesmen. Far from being confined to a single spokesperson, the administration's public messaging is supported by a diverse group that includes ministers, presidential aides, veteran journalists, former legislators, public affairs commentators, and party operatives.

When evaluating the effectiveness of these communicators in shaping political conversations, defending the administration, and keeping President Tinubu's agenda at the forefront of public debate, certain notable figures emerge. Among these, Festus Keyamo, Bayo Onanuga, and Otunba Biodun Ajiboye have been identified as particularly influential voices associated with the Tinubu project since 2023.

Festus Keyamo, who currently serves as the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, stands out due to his combination of political combativeness, legal training, and extensive media experience. Long before his ministerial appointment, Keyamo had already established himself as one of the APC's most aggressive defenders. During the 2023 presidential campaign, he regularly confronted opposition narratives on television and social media platforms, addressing controversies surrounding Tinubu's background and the U.S. forfeiture case.

Keyamo's effectiveness lies in his willingness to engage adversaries directly, rather than confining himself to bureaucratic language. This has made him one of the administration's most recognizable political combatants.

Bayo Onanuga, on the other hand, brings a different model of communication to the Presidency's information machinery. A veteran journalist and former media director of the APC presidential campaign, Onanuga's role has expanded alongside the administration's most challenging policy conversations. As Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, appointed by President Tinubu in October 2023, Onanuga is tasked with maintaining the administration's public messaging architecture.

His responsibilities have evolved to encompass fuel subsidies removal, exchange rate reforms, inflation, electricity pricing, and broader economic restructuring. Onanuga's approach focuses on sustained political explanation, ensuring that the administration's argument remains consistent as it navigates through controversial policy areas.

Otunba Biodun Ajiboye, while not holding an official communications position, has made significant contributions to the political-media space. Serving as the Executive Secretary of the National Institute for Cultural Orientation and as an APC chieftain, Ajiboye has frequently participated in high-profile television debates. His appearances cover a wide range of topics, including the administration's economic performance, opposition politics, federal-state relations, and the political landscape leading up to the 2027 elections.

In May 2025, Ajiboye debated Nigeria's political stability, attributing the lack of a one-party state to the opposition's failure to provide a credible alternative. He has continued to defend the Tinubu administration's relationship with state governments and its decision-making processes throughout 2025 and 2026. While Ajiboye may not possess the institutional machinery of a formal government communication position, his viral media appearances consistently generate political debate and social media engagement, making him a significant communicator within the Tinubu administration.