Ben Bruce, Omojuwa and the #IAmANigerianNotACriminal trend: Much a tweet about nothing

“Some Nigerians claim that life is too difficult back home.”

The opening line of the statement made by President Muhammadu Buhari– which resulted in the still-trending hashtag- #IAmANigerianNotACriminal.

In the interview with UK Telegraph, the President continued: “But they have also made it difficult for Europeans and Americans to accept them because of the number of Nigerians in prisons all over the world accused of drug trafficking or human trafficking.”

“I don’t think Nigerians have anybody to blame. They can remain at home, where their services are required to rebuild the country. We have an image problem abroad and we are on our way to salvage that.”

Perhaps, the social media attacks on President Buhari is punishment for the sins of his bluntness but whether deserved or not- is subjective.

Perhaps not.

But did he exactly stray from the truth, save from the letdown of generalization which Senator Ben Murray-Bruce accused him of, when he championed the viral hashtag- #IAmANigerianNotACriminal.

Following the common sense advocate’s tweet about the retired general’s interview, Nigerian netizens jumped on the matter and while a section is currently divided over the comments, many are being drawn to another drama- a spin-off of the consequent trending of #IAmANigerianNotACriminal.

This one started when Ben Bruce responded to a rebuttal from popular columnist, social commentator and founder of Trouble Makers Academy, J. J Omojuwa.

He subsequently retweeted this tweet.

And it set Omojuwa off.

omojuwa

Former Governor of Rivers state and Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi, then stepped in, to defend his honour and call out a ‘coward’.

When the fun appeared to be waning, the parody Twitter handle of Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu had this to say.

Then sauntered in, the Chief Letter Writer of Nigeria, former president Olusegun Obasanjo, whose parody account also jumped in.

Having soaked in the contributions of the main characters in the #NigeriansAreNotCriminal trend- Nigerians joined the fun:

Of course, conspiracy theorist must have their say.

And a few more tweets from Nigerians.

Care to trend or start a trend on Twitter, just follow this simple guide.

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