Festus Keyamo, Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation, has cautioned citizens to be wary of individuals misrepresenting personal opinions as the collective will of Nigerians, especially with elections approaching. In a post on X on Thursday, Keyamo described it as “amusing” that some journalists, opposition figures, and self-styled activists claim to speak for the public without any credible method of gauging national sentiment.
“How and where did they aggregate the views of ‘the Nigerian people’?” he asked, noting that those often portrayed as the voice of the nation are typically a small, recurring group of protesters, lawmakers opposing majority positions, and media commentators who frequently appear on television and social media.
Keyamo highlighted specific examples, including people gathering at the National Assembly, 15 senators voting against the majority of 94, and a small group of House representatives walking out against over 300 members. He criticised the tendency of some commentators to equate social media reactions or television appearances with nationwide public opinion.
The minister also alleged that many self-proclaimed neutral journalists and commentators are aligned with political interests, often supporting parties or candidates covertly. “Some journalists and almost every so-called neutral commentator or activist you see or hear in the media are all working for one interest or the other,” he wrote.
Keyamo urged Nigerians to stay vigilant, stressing the importance of distinguishing genuine public sentiment from the selective voices amplified during politically charged periods.
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