The statement will read:
“It has become obvious that some Nigerians are aiding one Imam of Peace who has taken it upon himself to mislead a rather peaceful citizenry. It is unacceptable that someone who does not understand the affairs of a nation will start a campaign against the president of that nation and its people.
We implore Nigerians not to deviate from helping to curb the pandemic that’s causing harm to the nation. It is important we focus on helping to stop the spread of COVID-19, so everything goes back as it was…”
Did that sound familiar? Well, we are used to ‘debunking statements’ that come at every instance and most times, very late, when Nigerians have literally moved on from the issue. The statements leave room for Nigerians to make conclusions. “Is this so? Why am I asking? It is. Silence confirms it.” That’s exactly what goes on in the heads of Nigerians every other day.
But what would prompt the above statement from the presidency?
Australia-based Islamic cleric, Mohammad Tawhidi, popularly known as Imam of Peace on Twitter watched President Muhammadu Buhari’s first and only public televised address since the outbreak and heard ‘Covic One Nine’ somewhere in between.
He went on to write on Twitter:
The President of Nigeria Muhammadu Buhari still doesn’t know the name of the virus killing 24,000+ at such a rapid rate. Addressing the nation about it for the first time, he pronounced the virus as 'CIVIK 1-9'.
His friend, Imran Khan, thinks Japan and Germany share a border.
— Imam of Peace (@Imamofpeace) March 27, 2020
It’s Covic Imam and yes, Nigerians already heard it. Probably his local tongue affected the pronunciation. But it did not end there. He started a campaign against Buhari and the millions of Nigerians who voted for him – again – in 2019. It is a well-edited movie. See below:
Top 3 leaders:
1- Imran Khan. Professional beggar, terror-sympathizer, thinks Japan and Germany are neighbours.
2- Muhammadu Buhari, dumbest person in Nigeria. Scared of terrorists, promises to fight the COVIKK virus.
3- Tamim of Qatar: Thinks he’s sexy. Answers only to mummy.
— Imam of Peace (@Imamofpeace) March 27, 2020
I love Nigeria. I have one Nigerian friend and she’s amazing. One of the most successful and honest people I know. I also welcome my new Nigerian followers on Twitter.
You have a beautiful country but it would be more beautiful without the terrorism enabled by Dictator Buhari.
— Imam of Peace (@Imamofpeace) March 27, 2020
He says something about the Buhari’s media team and his ‘fans:’
President Buhari’s cult claim they have nothing to do with terrorists in Nigeria.
Yet when I expose terrorists in Nigeria…
President Buhari’s fans attack me online.
A stupid President is always elected by stupid people.
— Imam of Peace (@Imamofpeace) March 27, 2020
Muhammadu Buhari is the Joe Biden of Nigeria:
1- People don’t know where he is.
2- He doesn’t know where he is.
3- He doesn’t know what he’s talking about.
4- His fingerprints are on dirty files with no one brave enough to investigate him.
5- A national embarrassment.
— Imam of Peace (@Imamofpeace) March 27, 2020
Nigerians should know that I’ve actually had contact with his office before, during civil conflicts (Shia-Sunni/army clashes). I was about to come to Nigeria for negotiations and help achieve peace between sects. But it looks like Buhari loves conflict so he can stay in power. https://t.co/uXstnM8X3I
— Imam of Peace (@Imamofpeace) March 27, 2020
Whoever supports Buhari is not only foolish but also responsible for his crimes regardless of their nationality. I’m not even Nigerian and I am standing up for Nigerians. Maybe you should do the same instead of defending the cult that put that Covikkk criminal in power. https://t.co/ZzDBu4Q7Is
— Imam of Peace (@Imamofpeace) March 27, 2020
I’ll say it again: Whoever voted for Buhari, especially for the second time after seeing his failures to crack down on terrorists, is 100% stupid, foolish and irresponsible. Victims of terrorism due to Buhari’s incompetence don’t care about minority or majority votes. Wake up. https://t.co/Cy5mUUtWpV
— Imam of Peace (@Imamofpeace) March 27, 2020
Truth has no nationality.
Terrorism is an international concern.
I am not dragging the country.
I am defending it from the Covik Cult and their sympathizers like you.Why are you angry? Go eat some Naija Jollof. The best. https://t.co/FW4kxN69OQ
— Imam of Peace (@Imamofpeace) March 27, 2020
Nigerians please vote so that #PresidentCovik can see the results.
— Imam of Peace (@Imamofpeace) March 27, 2020
Americans have all heard of that one “Nigerian Scammer” who is making Nigerians look bad. His name is Buhari and he thinks he’s a Nigerian Prince. #PresidentCovik
— Imam of Peace (@Imamofpeace) March 27, 2020
Dear Nigeria…
Who blocked who…?
Who’s the liar polishing the shoes of his President?
This is the cabinet surrounding #PresidentCovik. They get paid to lie and fabricate. pic.twitter.com/JCXcvuhHOa
— Imam of Peace (@Imamofpeace) March 27, 2020
Imam of Peace is not the only one on this, Nigerians are using the opportunity to talk about the country’s problems, amid the pandemic. And, we would remember how #WhereIsBuhari trended for hours, in the light of the fact that there were claims that the president is severely ill and is probably down with the virus.
The trend fired up when the president’s media team released a picture of the president in Aso Rock, asking Nigerians to – again – debunk the rumours.
The other unconfirmed report (an audio from someone who supposedly works in Aso Rock) was that President Buhari and his Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari had been secretly flown out of the country to be treated – after Kyari was confirmed coronavirus positive.
Nigerians are used to comparative leadership styles and believe that everything that works for the Americans SHOULD also work here. “We want it just like it is done in the US! Is that too much to ask?” They say.
So, it is not enough that the president keeps releasing text statements about monies released to stop the spread of COVID-19 on Twitter and supposedly giving orders through his media team, Nigerians want it to be the Trump-style – “Talk to us every day like your children. Just imagine we are your children.”
The #WhereIsBuhari trend also raised dust already cleared: “Is Buhari really him (and dead) or the clone from Sudan as proscribed Biafra group, IPOB, claim?” For this, we categorically say NO!
Imam of Peace has raised issues of a dictator allowing terrorism to thrive so he continues as President, and while we want to argue that, Nigeria’s armed forces have indeed, done a lot to end insurgency in Nigeria’s Northeast, too many Nigerians still believe that the country’s leader is relatively absent in the affairs of a nation he is supposed to be leading.
Is it lack of information or the attention span on things of NO relevance? What do you think?
Omoleye Omoruyi… an apprentice web/game developer, novelist, sensitive to happenings in the world. Meet him @Lord_rickie on Twitter/Instagram
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