A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr Femi Alabi, has expressed concern over what he described as inadequate publicity surrounding the achievements and policy initiatives of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
Alabi said the Federal Government had implemented several programmes and projects across different sectors, but argued that many Nigerians were either unaware of them or had limited understanding of their impact because of poor communication and publicity.
The APC chieftain made the remarks while speaking on the performance of the Tinubu administration, stressing the need for stronger communication strategies to ensure that citizens are adequately informed about government policies and interventions.
According to him, effective governance should not end with the implementation of policies and projects, as the government must also communicate its achievements clearly to the public.
He noted that inadequate publicity could create a situation where significant government interventions fail to receive the recognition they deserve, particularly among citizens who may not have direct access to official information.
Alabi argued that the gap between government activities and public awareness could also provide room for misinformation and inaccurate narratives about the administration’s performance.
He therefore called on relevant government agencies, political appointees and APC stakeholders to improve the way information about federal programmes is communicated to Nigerians.
The APC chieftain said communication should be taken beyond official statements and press releases, urging authorities to make greater use of traditional media, digital platforms, community engagement and grassroots structures.
Need to Take Achievements to the Grassroots
Alabi emphasised the importance of taking information about federal government programmes directly to communities, particularly rural areas where residents may have limited access to government communication channels.
He said citizens should be able to understand how government policies affect their livelihoods, businesses, education, healthcare, agriculture and other aspects of daily life.
According to him, explaining the objectives and benefits of government initiatives in simple and accessible language would help citizens better appreciate the administration’s efforts.
He also encouraged APC leaders and supporters at the grassroots level to play a more active role in communicating government programmes and providing accurate information to constituents.
The party chieftain maintained that political communication should not be limited to election periods, arguing that continuous engagement with the public was necessary to build trust and strengthen accountability.
Communication Gap Could Affect Public Perception
Alabi further warned that poor publicity could negatively influence public perception of the administration, regardless of the number of projects being executed.
He noted that citizens often judge governments based on what they can see, understand and experience, making effective communication an important component of governance.
Where information is unavailable or poorly communicated, he said, the public could easily form opinions based on incomplete information or unverified claims.
He consequently urged the government to develop more coordinated communication strategies capable of highlighting projects and policies while also providing citizens with accurate information about their implementation.
The APC chieftain said such an approach would enable Nigerians to make informed assessments of the administration rather than relying solely on political narratives.
Greater Focus on Results
While calling for better publicity, Alabi also stressed that communication should be supported by tangible results.
He said the government must continue implementing policies that improve the lives of Nigerians while ensuring that completed projects are properly documented and communicated.
According to him, publicity should focus on measurable outcomes and explain how government interventions are benefiting communities and different categories of citizens.
He called for stronger collaboration between government ministries, departments and agencies and the communication teams responsible for informing the public about their activities.
The APC chieftain also urged party leaders to maintain closer contact with their constituencies so that feedback from citizens could be transmitted to government authorities.
Grassroots Engagement Crucial
Alabi said grassroots engagement would be particularly important as the country approaches another election cycle, stressing that citizens need to have a clear understanding of government policies and programmes.
He urged APC stakeholders to communicate responsibly and avoid exaggerated claims, saying public confidence would be better sustained through factual information and evidence of completed projects.
He also called for greater use of local languages and community-based communication channels to reach people who may not regularly follow national media platforms.
According to him, effective communication should be a two-way process in which government explains its policies while also listening to citizens’ concerns and responding to legitimate criticisms.
The APC chieftain expressed optimism that improved publicity would help bridge the information gap surrounding the Tinubu administration and enable more Nigerians to understand the scope of its interventions.
He maintained that government achievements should be communicated consistently, transparently and in a manner that allows citizens to assess their actual impact.
Alabi’s comments come amid continuing public debate over the performance of the Tinubu administration, with supporters highlighting ongoing reforms and projects while critics have raised concerns over the impact of some policies on households and businesses.
Against this backdrop, the APC chieftain believes stronger communication could help ensure that Nigerians have access to comprehensive information about the administration’s activities.
He therefore urged government officials and party stakeholders to intensify public engagement and ensure that information about federal initiatives reaches citizens at the grassroots.
According to him, better publicity would not only improve awareness of government programmes but also strengthen accountability, encourage public participation and help Nigerians understand the direction of the administration.
He concluded that while implementing development projects remained essential, ensuring that citizens know about and understand those projects was equally important to building public confidence in the government.