Ajayi should promote Tinubu’s achievements, not attack statesmen – CNF

By Austine Agbo Emmanuel, Kaduna

The Concerned Northern Forum (CNF) has faulted the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Public Affairs, Temitope Ajayi, over his comments attacking former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, describing the aide’s outburst as reckless and poorly informed.

The group stated this in a statement signed by its Convener, Comrade Aliyu Sani Mohammed, on Saturday, while reacting to Mr Ajayi’s recent remarks following Boss Mustapha’s keynote address at the public presentation of According to the President, a book authored by presidential spokesperson, Garba Shehu.

Speaking on the theme President Muhammadu Buhari’s Contribution to National Development, Boss Mustapha had praised both former President Buhari and his successor, President Tinubu, for advancing governance through reforms and institutional strengthening.

But reacting to the presentation, Ajayi accused Mustapha of diminishing Tinubu’s contribution to Buhari’s emergence in 2015 a claim CNF described as “unfounded, hasty, and completely detached from the subject of the presentation.”

“Boss Mustapha did not, at any point in his address, speak on APC presidential primaries. His focus was on institutional legacies and the philosophy of reform under Buhari, with commendations to Tinubu for building on that foundation,” CNF said.

It is disappointing that a presidential aide would rely on headlines and hearsay without taking time to go through the actual presentation. That’s a disservice to his office and a lazy approach to public communication

The Forum maintained that Boss Mustapha, a respected elder statesman, was only trying to place issues in proper perspective based on the theme of the event and the content of the book.

“It is disappointing that a presidential aide would rely on headlines and hearsay without taking time to go through the actual presentation. That’s a disservice to his office and a lazy approach to public communication,” the Forum added.

CNF reminded Ajayi that what is expected of him is not political mudslinging but research-based advocacy for the Tinubu administration.

“Rather than attack statesmen of proven integrity, Mr. Ajayi should spend his time promoting the laudable initiatives of President Tinubu to Nigerians. That is what he is being paid to do. Not to twist facts or manufacture controversy.”

According to the group, Boss Mustapha’s remarks were in fact a call for national reflection and continuity in reform, not political revisionism.

“Victory in politics is never a one-man show. It is always a collective outcome. That was the spirit of the 2015 coalition, and Mustapha merely reinforced that understanding,” CNF stated.

At a time when most SGFs leave office with allegations trailing them, Mustapha left without a single stain. Nigerians today commend him for integrity

The Forum further argued that the likes of Mustapha deserve commendation, not condemnation, for maintaining national decorum and service-driven leadership.

“At a time when most SGFs leave office with allegations trailing them, Mustapha left without a single stain. Nigerians today commend him for integrity, competence, and humility. That cannot be said of many.”

CNF called on presidential aides to show restraint, apply decorum, and ensure their interventions are based on substance rather than sentiment.

“We must not reduce governance to petty brawls and media theatrics. The role of a presidential spokesperson is to inform, not inflame. Ajayi must rise above partisan defensiveness and match the dignity of the office he occupies.”

We must not reduce governance to petty brawls and media theatrics

The Forum affirmed its respect for both Buhari and Tinubu, and called for unity among progressives rather than needless disputes over historical credit.