Phrank Shaibu, Special Assistant on Public Communication to the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the last general election, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has compared President Bola Tinubu’s political symbol, the broken shackle, to the swastika’s historical transformation from a symbol of good fortune to one of oppression.
Shaibu, in a piece he titled “De-cap-itated!”, and made available to DAILY POST, drew parallels between the swastika, and Tinubu’s broken shackles.
DAILY POST reports that the swastika which ordinarily should represent hope across various cultures lost its credence over its association with the Nazi regime of Hitler.
Shaibu said that Tinubu’s broken shackle which was, according to him, seen as a representation of freedom and human rights, has now morphed into a symbol of oppression.
“President Tinubu, in a campaign soapbox in Ogun State where he made the infamous Emilokan remarks, which is a selfish and arrogant ownership claim to power, has since made the broken shackle a symbol of oppression and political rascality,” Shaibu stated.
He noted that the Emilokan mantra, which translates to ‘it is my turn’ in Yoruba, was once celebrated as a rallying cry for the supporters of the President.
However, as Shaibu suggested, the reality has been far from the initial promise, as the economy has moved further downward under the President’s watch.
“Everyone now knows that Emilokan is not about shared prosperity for all but about a rabid appropriation of state assets to personal ownership,” Shaibu added.
He further accused Tinubu of building personal wealth by exploiting Lagosians, debunking the widely held belief that Tinubu’s governance was responsible for Lagos’ economic growth.
“The disillusionment with the Emilokan symbol has become so widespread that the caps, once proudly displayed by vendors and supporters, are now gathering dust.”
Shaibu further compared Tinubu to the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, an iconic figure in Nigerian politics known for his progressive ideals.
According to Shaibu, Tinubu’s supporters initially likened him to Awolowo, believing he would follow in the legendary leader’s footsteps by delivering a prosperous and inclusive government.
However, Shaibu dismisses this comparison as a “political impersonation fraud of grand proportions.”
“Everyone now knows that Tinubu is not Awolowo.”
Emilokan caps: Tinubu’s symbols of hope now relics of disappointment – Atiku’s aide