An American policy analyst, Matthew T. Page, says President Muhammadu Buhari’s spokespersons lack basic social media skills.
Page, who is an Associate Fellow of the Chatham House Africa Programme in London, stated this in a tweet on Wednesday.
He was reacting to the controversy generated by some tweets from the president’s official handle @MBuhari on Tuesday.
The president’s spokespersons and social media handlers include Malam Garba Shehu, Femi Adesina, Bashir Ahmad, Tolu Ogunlesi, and Lauretta Onochie.
Page quoted a tweet in which the president said that some “misbehaving” Nigerians would be treated “in the language they understand”.
“Many of those misbehaving today are too young to be aware of the destruction and loss of lives that occurred during the Nigerian Civil War. Those of us in the fields for 30 months, who went through the war, will treat them in the language they understand,” the tweet read.
According to the Non-Resident Fellow with the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD), Abuja, the tweet exposed the Buhari media handlers’ inexperience in social media management.
“Someone needs to send PMB’s spokespeople to some basic social media training,” Page wrote.
“Lesson 1: Conduct yourself professionally and try to make your principal appear presidential.
“Lesson 2: Don’t say things that will heat up the polity.
“Lesson 3: Avoid mafia catch phrases.”
See tweet:
Someone needs to send PMB's spokespeople to some basic social media training.
Lesson 1: Conduct yourself professionally and try to make your principal appear presidential.
Lesson 2: Don't say things that will heat up the polity.
Lesson 3: Avoid mafia catch phrases. https://t.co/QEYQcWnw7O
— Matthew T. Page (@MatthewTPage) June 2, 2021