Aisha Yesufu And The Phantom Honour: What The Presidency’s Denial Reveals About Nigeria’s Information Wars

In a political climate increasingly riddled with disinformation and fast-moving rumors, the Presidency has found itself once again in the hot seat—this time to debunk a claim that President Bola Tinubu awarded a national honour to Aisha Yesufu, a prominent activist and unapologetic supporter of Peter Obi during the 2023 presidential elections.

While this might seem like just another episode in Nigeria’s daily flood of online drama, the controversy shines a spotlight on something deeper: the fragility of truth in an era of politicized narratives and weaponized misinformation.

The Allegation: An Honour That Never Was

The story started swirling when a viral list allegedly containing names of newly honored Nigerians began making the rounds online. The list included Aisha Yesufu, co-founder of the #EndSARS movement and a vocal critic of both the Buhari and Tinubu administrations.

The list, reportedly credited to Leadership Newspaper, claimed that Yesufu had been conferred with a national honour by President Tinubu. This set off a wave of reactions on social media, ranging from applause for bipartisan recognition to suspicion of co-optation.

However, Temitope Ajayi, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, quickly put the brakes on the rumor.

“The story on a viral list of national honours featuring names of Aisha Yesufu and others… is fake news,” Ajayi wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “It should be ignored.”

According to Ajayi, no new honours list has been issued beyond what was already made public during Tinubu’s Democracy Day address to the National Assembly.

Why This Matters: Between Misinformation and Political Symbolism

This isn’t just about whether or not Aisha Yesufu got a medal. It’s about trust in public communication. Nigeria is currently battling a complex information crisis, where state media, independent platforms, and online trolls all compete for narrative dominance. In this fog of information warfare, truth becomes malleable, and clarity is a luxury.

The inclusion of someone like Yesufu—a firebrand activist who famously turned her back on then-President Buhari’s portrait during a protest—on a national honour list would have been significant. Not just because of the act itself, but because of the symbolic olive branch it might have represented in a deeply polarized nation.

Was the fake list an attempt at satire? A political trap? Or just another viral stunt?

Either way, the Presidency’s swift rebuttal shows it’s not playing games with appearances, especially involving political opponents or their allies.

Enter Tompolo: Support from Unexpected Corners

Meanwhile, as the rumour mill churned, another significant voice was making headlines—Government Ekpemupolo, better known as Tompolo. Once branded a Niger Delta warlord, Tompolo is now the Chairman of Tantita Security Services and a partner in the government’s effort to curb oil theft and pipeline vandalism.

Speaking through Edgar Biu at a Door-2-Door Movement event, Tompolo offered rare praise for President Tinubu:

“He is the sole visionary leader capable of revitalising the nation’s struggling economy.”

Coming from a figure with a complex past in both activism and militancy, Tompolo’s endorsement is politically loaded. It suggests that Tinubu is not just building bridges across party lines, but also across old divides—between the state and ex-agitators, between oil wealth and its saboteurs, between authority and legitimacy in the Niger Delta.

Conclusion: The Real Battle is Over Narrative Control

The Aisha Yesufu honour story—real or not—reminds us of a hard truth: in modern Nigerian politics, perception can be as powerful as policy. Whether it’s disinformation or grassroots support, the Presidency is learning to play defense and offense in the court of public opinion.

At the same time, voices like Tompolo’s serve as a signal to the public that support for Tinubu isn’t confined to elite political circles. Whether this support is earned or strategic, only time will tell.

In the meantime, it’s worth asking: Who’s writing Nigeria’s story—the state, the citizens, or the chaos in between?

Do you think the fake honours list was a deliberate ploy, or just digital confusion? And what do you make of Tompolo’s surprising support for Tinubu? Join the conversation below.