by Toluwanimi Onakoya
Democracy day has come around, and a lot of Nigerians are celebrating with mixed feelings.
June 12, formerly known as ‘Abiola Day,’ is a public holiday mostly celebrated in Lagos and some South-Western states of Nigeria. The day is set aside to commemorate the restoration of democracy in the country after years of military intervention and dictatorship in many cases. Sadly, as it has become the norm for many years, another democracy day is at hand and many Nigerians appear not to see enough reasons for celebration.
In light of the tragic events unfolding, some are lamenting on social media and have particularly pointed fingers at President Muhammadu Buhari. Reports of killings in the North are gradually becoming a norm, disturbing rape cases are all over the news daily. In addition, the highest number of coronavirus cases were announced late Thursday by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) as the pandemic continues to cause a surge in prices of products.
Other resultant effects include the issue of citizens being laid off their jobs, restriction of economic activities in the last few months and many other events have caused a lot of alarm in the nation and many have turned to point fingers at the President stating that he has failed Nigerians. Upon Buhari giving his democracy day speech this morning, the tag #BuhariHasFailed began to trend, as people voiced out their frustrations with his administration.
Many called him out on his response to the incessant loss of lives in the North due to the killing sprees of the insurgent group, Boko Haram.
Buhari is not a preacher of shock. He is the SHOCK, HE IS THE LIFELESS !!!!!#NorthernLivesMatter #BUHARIHasFailed #DemocracyDay pic.twitter.com/JlR2isqGU2
— Olusegun Bakare𓃵 (@theboyisgreat) June 12, 2020
Still, views of support for the president were also expressed. Some stated that they were happy with his performance thus far and those that disagreed had way too high expectations.
1984 Buhari was incharge
– we are corruption free
– $1= 1 Naira
– There was war against indiscipline
– our economy was the best in Africa
Yes he is taking us back to 1984 & we are happy about it
Hatred has let your brain lose stable power supply to realize 1984 was our best times https://t.co/I3PTBg7Ykn— Alabi Opeyemi Oladimeji (@alabiopeyemiola) June 11, 2020
Others referred to his speech, mocking the things the President of Nigeria had listed as his achievements thus far. Many also called into question the statements Buhari made concerning the recent massacre of the northern lives in his speech.
When Buhari said he did Obajana-Kabba road as part of his achievement#BUHARIHasFailed pic.twitter.com/itqgzUcKFt
— Adekunle Olarinde (@Rindepixels) June 12, 2020
Buhari Blames recent attacks in the North on COVID-19 restrictions.
He claimed the criminals took advantage of the Lockdown.
Before the Lockdown restrictions nko?#WhichWayNigeria #WhichKindDemocracy #BUHARIHasFailed #presidentialaddress #DemocracyDay #Democracy #June12 pic.twitter.com/N2Lbfv4fRP
— CEO (@OkenwaChukwuma) June 12, 2020
There were those that criticised him out for refusing to address some issues as well.
Mr President refuses to acknowledge the killings in Southern Kaduna.
Naira is at an all time low, yet he thinks we are doing well.
No mention of the excessive unemployment rate. He's not moved by these and many more.#BUHARIHasFailed
— Riel One (@Gabrielapogee) June 12, 2020
Others have also clamoured for an end to his reign, tagging him as a “specialist in failure.”
https://twitter.com/princet83/status/1271343741215834112
Some Nigerians also expressed that there was no surprise at the trending hashtag and said they expected no less from the president. It was even insinuated that Nigerians should be thankful because it could be much worse.
People who started #BUHARIHasFailed trend are really bad history students.
President buhari was built to fail. He can't give what he doesn't have.
I never expected more than what we have now, it could have been worse but let's hang in there, 2023 is almost here.
— Ogbuefi (@MistaChika) June 12, 2020
UNPOLPULAR OPINION:
I think you guys are overreacting with this #BUHARIHasFailed trend.
Maybe you guys expected too much from himAs for me I'm seeing evidents of what I expected
Happy #June12 everyone…#DemocracyDay pic.twitter.com/WTdN5lSmMs— JA Asuquo | The Tech Bro (@kjasuquo) June 12, 2020
