“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.
But why will a President go abroad to say with his own mouth that his own people have a reputation for crime? pic.twitter.com/QLUeAqmA3f
— Ben Murray-Bruce (@benmurraybruce) February 6, 2016
President @MBuhari, Nigerians are not criminals. Nigerians are honest hardworking people. #IAmANigerianNotACriminal. Retweet if you agree.
— Ben Murray-Bruce (@benmurraybruce) February 6, 2016
Bernie Madoff stole $50 Billion, the largest theft in the world. That doesn't make all Americans thieves! Dont generalize because of a few!
— Ben Murray-Bruce (@benmurraybruce) February 6, 2016
Mr. Foreign investor, please come invest in my country. Oh and by the way, my people have a reputation for crime #IAmANigerianNotACriminal
— Ben Murray-Bruce (@benmurraybruce) February 6, 2016
Many dont know the import of that statement. It'll negatively affect your ability to get jobs & opportunity abroad #IAmANigerianNotACriminal
— Ben Murray-Bruce (@benmurraybruce) February 6, 2016
Your own minister spent ₦80 million on a one day dinner, yet it is your citizens you accuse of being criminals #IAmANigerianNotACriminal
— Ben Murray-Bruce (@benmurraybruce) February 6, 2016
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.
Twitter Senator, wake me up the day a dumb tweet on some pseudo common sense inanity becomes a motion in the Senate! https://t.co/RQGpOfCJGl
— JJ. Omojuwa (@Omojuwa) February 6, 2016
He subsequently retweeted this tweet.
Our favorite man on d show @benmurraybruce has pounced on @Omojuwa ???? #IwasInMyHouseAndTrailerCameToJamMe pic.twitter.com/JxoIhKxAf9
— The Trailer Jam Show (@TrailerJamShow) February 6, 2016
And it set Omojuwa off.
His mates are getting praised for making great points in the Senate, he is getting high on featuring on some inane Trailer Jam comedy show
— JJ. Omojuwa (@Omojuwa) February 6, 2016
There was no Silver on the Bird until NTA lost its logo and got looted.
— JJ. Omojuwa (@Omojuwa) February 7, 2016
Mannequins don't speak in the Senate. They'd rather fake common sense on Twitter. Coward Senator Ben Bruised! https://t.co/dBvHfJTZcX
— JJ. Omojuwa (@Omojuwa) February 7, 2016
Caitlyn Jenner is harder than this Bruce.
— JJ. Omojuwa (@Omojuwa) February 7, 2016
I respect elders but when an elder goes out of his way to denigrate me, I will not turn the other cheek. My meekness hasn't gotten there.
— JJ. Omojuwa (@Omojuwa) February 7, 2016
Caitlyn Jenner is harder than this Bruce.
— JJ. Omojuwa (@Omojuwa) February 7, 2016
At 60, I won't be here fighting people half my age. #DontBeBruce
— JJ. Omojuwa (@Omojuwa) February 7, 2016
That a Senate mannequin like Ben Bruce is obsessing over Buhari's statement doesn't mean intelligent people shouldn't consider it too.
— JJ. Omojuwa (@Omojuwa) February 7, 2016
There was no Silver on the Bird until NTA lost its logo and got looted.
— JJ. Omojuwa (@Omojuwa) February 7, 2016
Former Governor of Rivers state and Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi, then stepped in, to defend his honour and call out a ‘coward’.
A coward who is not bold enough to name the minister that he alleged criminally spent N80M on dinner is unfit to sit in our senate chambers
— Chibuike.R. Amaechi (@ChibuikeAmaechi) February 6, 2016
I will not respond to innuendos. Be courageous, name the minister. We know you talk here & do 'siddon' look where you are elected to talk
— Chibuike.R. Amaechi (@ChibuikeAmaechi) February 7, 2016
When the fun appeared to be waning, the parody Twitter handle of Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu had this to say.
I think Mr. President should be diplomatic in his approach to
questions. #NigeriansAreNotCriminals— Sen Ike Ekweremadu (@Ike_Ekweremadu) February 7, 2016
If People that are around the president are criminals. We are not criminals. #NigeriansAreNotCriminals
— Sen Ike Ekweremadu (@Ike_Ekweremadu) February 7, 2016
Then sauntered in, the Chief Letter Writer of Nigeria, former president Olusegun Obasanjo, whose parody account also jumped in.
Even though I support #NigeriansAreNotCriminals, I am delighted Nigerians have a President that can say things exactly as they are.
— Olusegun A. Obasanjo (@SegunObasanjo) February 7, 2016
The problem with most of us is that we prefer to be patted on the back for what we should be given hard knock for #NigeriansAreNotCriminals
— Olusegun A. Obasanjo (@SegunObasanjo) February 7, 2016
Having soaked in the contributions of the main characters in the #NigeriansAreNotCriminal trend- Nigerians joined the fun:
So all Ben Bruce knows is to use the wardrobe allowance he got to buy data and come and rant on twitter. ???
— Nwa Ohaozara (@froshkid_) February 7, 2016
So its by being divisive and spreading international lies that Ben Bruce hopes to campaign as president of Nigeria 2019?
LMAO??????— ZahrahMusa (@Zahrahmusa) February 7, 2016
Of course, conspiracy theorist must have their say.
If it's true that Reno is the one managing that Ben Bruce account, then I'm not surprised.
— Ify (@Ifynaija) February 7, 2016
And a few more tweets from Nigerians.
#NigeriansAreNotCriminals We are only unfortunate to have a President that doesn't respect the people who made him President
— KINDLY FOLLOW BACK✌ (@iRocPromotions) February 7, 2016
Do you know the statistics of Rape, Guns killing, Fraud in America? But Obama won't run his mouth about it. #NigeriansAreNotCriminals
— Ebuka Akara (@ebuka_akara) February 7, 2016
I stand with #NigeriansAreNotCriminals ..Every Kobo I earn is legitimate.
My Government might be filled with rogues, I am not one of them.— GOD BLESS MIMIKO⚡ (@RadicalYouthMan) February 7, 2016
@Omojuwa what we see in Ben Bruce's pseudo common sense is mischief and unparalleled sycophancy. No word came from him during PDP misrule.
— Ameen Olayinka (@ameenyinka) February 7, 2016
A president that calls his people criminals under cloak of 'sainthood' is a brain dead buffoon.#NigeriansAreNotCriminals
— danthehardliner (@lockerbian) February 6, 2016
Care to trend or start a trend on Twitter, just follow this simple guide.
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