Last Friday, Nigerian President, Muhammadu Buhari appointed 209 board chairmen and 1,258 members of government-owned agencies and parastatals. He also reportedly appointed himself as the chairman of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) and head of Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority.
Hours later, Nigerians discovered that about eight of these appointees are deceased. This caused an uproar on social media.
10 dead political appointees?
It means a lot of Buhari's appointees are either too ill or too old for politics.
Of the living ones, I wonder how many are healthy/young enough to fulfil their roles.....
— Gege (@nigeriasbest) December 30, 2017
Among the Buhari board appointees are many suffering from senility, who can’t even remember their first names. They are worse than the dead members, who can do no harm!
— MK Ibrahim (@MKIbrahimSenior) December 30, 2017
The appointment of dead people show that Buhari's appointees never attended interview. So sad
— Bright igbins (@brightdestar) December 30, 2017
Nobody is asking for @MBuhari's appointments to be thoughtful or strategic at this point. Just check that the appointees are alive!
At least three of the 'eminently qualified Nigerians' just appointed onto national agency governing boards are dead. Ha.https://t.co/Lm5CZI6UqC
— osarumen (@skweird) December 30, 2017
https://twitter.com/Handsomeolisa/status/947072788921233410
A show of gross incompetence
It took Buhari 31 months to appoint people into boards, a man who appointed an octogenarian at 84 as our US ambassador.
Why won't he appoint dead people as board chairmen? Ordinary list of appointees, these people can't scrutinise well. And they are running a country.
— Ebube Ngodo (@kcnaija) December 30, 2017
The number of dead appointees is increasing. One person has counted five. Tell me the reason why Buhari should not be impeached for incompetence and anyone involved in that list shouldn't resign. Ordinary appointment list? How can these people run a country? How?
— Ebube Ngodo (@kcnaija) December 30, 2017
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https://twitter.com/ThatniggaElJay/status/947025053710995456
https://twitter.com/Ameer_Siddibe/status/947023288756260864
Check these
President Buhari is Muslim, VP Osinbajo is a pastor. Who will pour Schnapps for the dead appointees to come out for their swearing in?
— Editi Effiòng (@EditiEffiong) December 30, 2017
Buhari appoints dead people. So what? Africans continue working as ancestors after death. Here are the relevant questions: are his dead appointees northerners or southerners, Christians or Muslims, APC or PDP? Also, I hear there are no female dead appointees. That's not fair.
— Pius Adesanmi (@pius_adesanmi) December 30, 2017
I think it is right for the next of kin of Buhari’s dead appointees to replace their parents.
— Jamal (@JajaPhD) December 30, 2017
If this government has no one to tell them, let me help them. This appointment list displayed gross incompetence from top to bottom. Wrong optics. Dead appointees. Absent boards for key agencies. Appointment of people sacked for one crime or wrong acts. Gross incompetence
— Retired Nigerian (@Dolarpo) December 30, 2017
Serious Shock as list of dead appointees is rising.
1. Senator Francis Okpozo
2. R v Fr Christopher Utov
3. DIG Donald Ugbaja(retd)
4. Garba Attahiru Kaduna
5. Umar Dange Sokoto
Are we sure @MBuhari is not living between heaven and earth.
— Odidere (@Tvezbaba_15) December 30, 2017
https://twitter.com/Henrikachi/status/947030232409755648
Then Professor Itse Sajay -- Chairman, Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption -- described the outrage as "unreasonable and needless".
Prof. Itse Sagay Tags Nigerians Criticising Buhari On Dead Appointees “Lilliputians” https://t.co/m1QIo7qNS6 pic.twitter.com/mQDvPi95Xh
— sulaiman aledeh (@aledeh) January 2, 2018
Nigerians were not impressed.
https://twitter.com/UNCLE_AJALA/status/948142475750846464
"Those who are criticizing Buhari over 8 dead appointees are Lilliputians, stupid and mentally idle" -Prof Sagay
What I find appalling is why a well lettered man like Prof Sagay continue to subject his intellect to bottomless ridicule in a desperate bid to defend this government
— Oke Umurhohwo (@OkeStalyf) January 3, 2018
The President has since assured Nigerians that the dead appointees will be replaced. Find the full list of appointees here. And below, other interesting topics on social media this week.
Deaths in Kaduna, Benue and Rivers
2018 began on a sad note for some Nigerians in Rivers, Kaduna and Benue States. On Monday, January 1, gunmen ambushed and attacked people returning from crossover night service in Omoku, Rivers State. Atleast 15 people have been reported dead following the attack and several others sustained gunshot injuries.
On Monday night, two villages in Sanga Local Government Area (LGA) of Kaduna State were attacked. According to reports, no fewer than 38 people were killed. While between Sunday December 31, 2017 and Tuesday January 2, 2018, Fulani herdsmen killed dozens of people in Tiv communities in Benue State.
Nigerians reacted on socia media
https://twitter.com/Rouvafe/status/948602239333093376
Just heard about the people who were killed in Rivers State while returning from cross over service. Really sad. Thoughts and prayers are with their families and those who sustained injuries. Hope the killers are found and killed too
— Chidi Okereke (@Chydee) January 2, 2018
Meanwhile, although it is beginning to sound hollow for us to keep extending our condolences to families that lose their loved ones to organized murder, we still must. So, may God give comfort to our fellow citizens in Kaduna, Rivers & Benue grieving their loved ones. 🙏🏾✍🏾
— Oby Ezekwesili (@obyezeks) January 3, 2018
@CITY1051, the killings in Benue,Kaduna is very barbaric and condemnable, the govt should act fast on the perpetrators
— adeyemi ademola (@deymoooh) January 4, 2018
When the killings didn’t stop under the last administration we united and demanded for answers. Today we are making up excuses. My heart goes out to the good people of Benue, Rivers and Kaduna. Remind the governors of their primary responsibility. Protect lives and Property.
— AHMED BUHARI (@OfficialAhmedB) January 4, 2018
Killings in Southern Kaduna, Adamawa, Benue.......and Rivers State. Evil is in full operation in Nigeria!
— Sir Otunba Opeyemi Agbaje (@opeyemiagbaje) January 3, 2018
Mass killings have spread round Nigeria, with Rivers, Kaduna, Benue and the North-East losing hundreds in just 3 days through the new year, but the life of one citizen enjoying a world-class medical service is the priority of these fellow citizens. Yet “Nigerians are impatient.” pic.twitter.com/ufZteWSo1K
— Gimba Kakanda (@gimbakakanda) January 3, 2018
Kaduna. Benue. Rivers. Killings. Not just killings but butchery done in manners that question the existence of Security & Intelligence in our country.
It is a New Year. Our FG .@AsoRock has to do EVERYTHING to stem this rising tide of gruesome acts in the land, Pres @MBuhari .— Oby Ezekwesili (@obyezeks) January 3, 2018
Hundreds were killed and still being killed in the North East by extremists. Not to talk about Rivers, Kaduna, Benue and Bayelsa killings. The only person you pray for is Yusuf Buhari. Clap for yourself first family in - law.
— Muhammad Malumfashi (@m_malumfashi) January 4, 2018
https://twitter.com/OgbeniDipo/status/948316096280584192
https://twitter.com/KelvinOdanz/status/948603103741464577
Dear President Buhari, check these Fulani herdsmen
20 people were killed in Benue by Fulani herdsmen, this people are getting more emboldened simply because they are seeing the body language of President Buhari.
Non of them has been arrested, killed or jailed by president Buhari.
Enough of the killings, Buhari has to go
— Ọdọfín M Abiodun (@OdofinMA) January 2, 2018
https://twitter.com/UrbanCulture06/status/948460716738138112
https://twitter.com/Onos147/status/948317255078744064
We once were the food basket of the nation, right now it's more of a #BloodBasket of the nation. We are everyday murdered by the fulani and the presidency keep mute while we watch our people die. #Benue.
— K (@Kumatorr) January 2, 2018
Those people that urged us to pray for Yusuf Buhari, why are you people silent about the Fulani herdsmen attack in Benue State?
Even Buhari is silent.
Nobody is praying for those killed by Buhari's 'misguided brothers'?
Are your prayers reserved for Buhari's son only?
— Oke Umurhohwo (@OkeStalyf) January 3, 2018
https://twitter.com/adeyanjudeji/status/948456612091629568
What is it that has so far hindered FG .@AsoRock @MBuhari from effectively tackling the Fulani Herdsmen crisis in states like Kaduna&Benue? Is it Intelligence failure? Is it Surveillance Failure? Is it Investigation failure? Is it Prosecution failure? Or lack of Political Will?
— Oby Ezekwesili (@obyezeks) January 3, 2018
https://twitter.com/ani_nomso/status/948490063498883072
Kaduna killings.
Taraba killings.
Jos killings
Enugu killings.
Edo killings
...and many more similar killings were all allegedly perpetrated by the Fulani Herdsmen.This is not rocket science, we can grow feed for cows in 7 days, build ranches & end this!
Benue #SmartCity pic.twitter.com/yMFuO9ojrh
— Farmer Samson Ogbole (@Samsonprolific) January 4, 2018
https://twitter.com/UnbiasedMindNg/status/948659554027438080
Read President' Buhari's condemnation of the killings here.
The tailor from hell?
On January 1, Mercy Aigbe, popular Nigerian actress was one of the hottest trending topics on social media. The fact that it was her birthday could have been the reason, but it wasn't. She trended because one of the dressed she wore for her birthday photoshoot didn't belong to her. Read the full gist below.
https://twitter.com/UrbanCulture06/status/948091410452041728
The tailor reportedly gave out the same dress earlier for a photoshoot.
https://twitter.com/ogbeni_opa/status/948210150913069056
Ah. That Obioma is a demon!!!!!! Another model wore the dress 5 days before she gave it to Mercy Aigbe o!!! Ah.
— The (@DamiElebe) January 3, 2018
Apparently, she's notorious for disappointing her customers.
https://twitter.com/OgomV/status/948199962856296448
Here are a few reactions on social media.
Why so wicked?
https://twitter.com/newscantell/status/948454946621534208
https://twitter.com/newscantell/status/948454946621534208
https://twitter.com/Shawnife_/status/948274171762696192
https://twitter.com/iAm__TT/status/947941833962872838
I don't know how Mercy Aigbe feels, finding out that the dress she allegedly borrowed from a tailor for her 40th birthday photo was actually an innocent girl's wedding dress and that the tailor had lied to the girl that her dress wasn't ready. Why are tailors this wicked? pic.twitter.com/GzWCHI5BqQ
— Bros IK (@bros_aik) January 1, 2018
That story about a tailor giving a brides dress to Mercy Aigbe is paining me. Like I actually want to cry for her😭
— ✨ (@Chidinma_xo) January 1, 2018
https://twitter.com/OgomV/status/947887327866736641
https://twitter.com/Alpha_Jenna/status/947874119923757056
Some shade for Mercy Aigbe
https://twitter.com/SubDeliveryTwit/status/948084770180861952
https://twitter.com/TheTsarina_/status/947944233041883136
Mercy Aigbe is taking the First L of 2018.
Great Record— COONLEY (@tijanihabeeb) January 1, 2018
From now on, Mercy Aigbe Is Canceled!
Cos she can’t say she’s not aware that’s someone’s wedding dress.
Let me first of all delete all my business mentions to her.. I don’t deal with Snakes!— 𝐒êñåᴛᴏʀ (@HalaalBaller) January 1, 2018
Checking Wikipedia.. Mercy Aigbe is 39 not even 40, lied about age and cloth now.. Learner Oshi
— Capt. James (@LeyeSmallz) January 1, 2018
She isn't to blame
The painful thing is that Mercy Aigbe might not have known about it but Nigerians are dragging her instead of the designer
— Ome (@Or_meh_me) January 1, 2018
I don’t understand why people are attacking mercy aigbe. She’s not the one who did something wrong
— desperate chicks’ waist (@duchesskk) January 1, 2018
I really don’t understand what Mercy Aigbe’s fault is in this tailor matter. Being a celebrity is both a gift and a curse. pic.twitter.com/vWLq5egLi1
— Ibrahim Salawu (@UnilagOlodo) January 1, 2018
Those dragging mercy aigbe and not the stupid ass fashion designer are the real problems we have in Nigeria.
— TBillion (@Tbillion40) January 2, 2018
Too early in the year for drama
https://twitter.com/Onos147/status/948402702362476545
https://twitter.com/Yink1234/status/947942123214721024
https://twitter.com/Yink1234/status/947937615495483392
And some funny memes
https://twitter.com/Fashlyyoung/status/948513312798633984
https://twitter.com/OsasCruz/status/948309793684508672
https://twitter.com/ikvngsleek/status/947965316692312064
https://twitter.com/Rouvafe/status/948093965399674880
https://twitter.com/TweeteractiveNG/status/948181946420682752
Mercy Aigbe after seeing the bride's dress pic.twitter.com/J6JcPpWqHK
— Black Kakashi (@cruisebaba) January 2, 2018
https://twitter.com/TweeteractiveNG/status/948097029330350080
https://twitter.com/El_tiger_29111/status/948113192273829888
After seeing all these gist about Mercy Aigbe, Mr Devil be looking at the tailor like pic.twitter.com/4EVl8pzaTx
— Mumus Lounge (MLTV) (@mumuslounge) January 1, 2018
The tailor eventually gave her side to the story. Read it below:
Your award winning disappointing tailor’s side of the story.
Hanty we believe you 👀🙌🏼 pic.twitter.com/GiZga57Zdh
— Elsie Godwin (@ELSiEiSY) January 2, 2018
But her story doesn’t add up
https://twitter.com/KvngRoxie/status/948207882306244608
https://twitter.com/KvngRoxie/status/948222855094906880
In the end, it's a win-win for everyone involved
https://twitter.com/Rouvafe/status/948257889227100163
Kindly share your Nigerian tailor horror stories in the comments section.
Badoo herbalist arrested
The Nigerian Police Force began 2018 on a good note with the arrest of Ota-Aye Fatai Adebayo, the chief herbalist of the notorious Badoo cult gang in Ogun State.
The suspected kingpin of the cult group, Alhaji Alaka Abayomi Kamal is still at large, however, the Lagos state government has sealed all the properties linked to him.
LASG has sealed off a Petrol Filling Station, an Hotel and Event Centre belonging to a suspected Badoo cult kingpin, Alhaji Alaka Abayomi Kamal. pic.twitter.com/4PRn2UkZnq
— The Lagos State Govt (@followlasg) January 3, 2018
Photos:Lagos seals off suspected Badoo kingpin, Alaka’s filling station, hotel, and event centre pic.twitter.com/ZrjtxyqcHC
— Punch Newspapers (@MobilePunch) January 3, 2018
Here are a few reactions to the arrest on social media:
Breaking!!!
LAGOS POLICE ARREST BADOO CULT LEADER, CHIEF HERBALIST ，Demolish Shrine In Imosan Village。 pic.twitter.com/DGpMF3DNux— Tunmise Reformer (@MrRefor) January 2, 2018
Congratulations to the Lagos State @PoliceNG Command & the Commissioner of Police Edgar Imohimi, for their success against the Badoo Cult Gang especially for the arrest of #Badoo kingpin, Ota-Aye Fatai Adebayo.pic.twitter.com/227aL53zVW
— Dot In A Circle - Onye Spare Parts (@The_Jonathanian) January 3, 2018
The smiles on this Badoo kingpin face ehnn... He's so sure he will get away, he's just smiling with handcuffs on his hand and bouncing
— Edo-Wizard 👺 (@davidoghe) January 3, 2018
Mans smiling for the camera after the arrest, mans truly a Badoo. https://t.co/CpCNAITzC0
— KOBZ (@AgbaKobz) January 3, 2018
Badoo- Great Job from @PoliceNG in Lagos.
I am very happy hearing this news but must especially if this marks the end of these killers in our society.— Tplus (@obrienthagreat) January 3, 2018
https://twitter.com/BounceNewsNg/status/948534854983077888
https://twitter.com/Ibn_Abdulsalam/status/948473888962424833
Shoutout to the Lagos State Police for the good work they are doing.#End_Badoo
— El khalifa (@El_khalifa99) January 3, 2018
https://twitter.com/Naijadailyfeed/status/948645730163527680
https://twitter.com/Naijadailyfeed/status/948644053540892672
Kudos to the Nigerian Police Force on this.
National blackout
Two days into 2018, Nigeria experienced a nationwide blackout as a result of a shut down of the natonal electricity grid. The collapse was due to a fire incident on the Escravos Lagos Pipeline System of the Nigerian Gas Processing and Transportation Company Limited (TCN) located in Edo State.
Barely 24 hours later, the national grid collapsed again. According to TCN, the second system failure occurred when the Odukpani-Ikot Ekpene 330kV transmission line tripped, cutting off electricity generation and transmission from the Odukpani power station to the grid.
Nigerians reacted on social media.
https://twitter.com/NeoIghodaro/status/948306271408738310
And Day 2 of 2018 ends with a National Blackout it seems.
12 Total System Collapses and 2 partial ones in the first 6 months of 2017 according to @PowerUpNG.
I wish the #LightUpNaija outrage outlasted GEJ.
— 'Demola Olarewaju (@DemolaRewaju) January 2, 2018
Complete blackout yet again. National grid has collapsed for the umpteenth time.
— Ewgi (@Ssaasquatch) January 2, 2018
This is not the first national blackout under the Buhari govt,one can only pray and hope it will be the last
— ADEWALE (@Wale_A3) January 4, 2018
No fuel..
No light..
Lol.. National black out..
2018 starting out to be dark..
Happy new year Nigeria!— Hafsss 🦥 (@Just_Hafsah) January 2, 2018
Heard there is a National Blackout in Nigeria.... I can only testify that the Light dimmed and tripped off....Happy new year indeed
— ELENIYAN (@Eleniyan93) January 2, 2018
National blackout 😂😂😂
So you people enjoy light like this?
You shouldn’t even be complaining about how Nigeria is bad if you enjoy light to this extent. Imagine.— Goldfish (@Tahlee__) January 2, 2018
https://twitter.com/poabaje/status/948294785764380672
Do not panic,
the brief national blackout was so the dead appointees could get to their different duty posts.
Thank you.— Mike Asukwo (@Asukwoeb) January 3, 2018
National Black out. In other countries everyone will be worried that it might be a terrorist attack.
In Nigeria, we are using it as bonding activity.— Ọmọlọlá (@lolaloveandart) January 2, 2018
This national blackout ehn, low key what if rapture has...nvm 😭😭😭
— Bobo S (@SayoIroko) January 2, 2018
Some people didn't even know there was a blackout
https://twitter.com/kelvinmemo/status/948619746693603328
People be tweeting about national blackout. But we've not had light since Wednesday in my area.
— Tee (@mz_temitee) January 2, 2018
People saying there is no light in Nigeria and I didn't notice cos I haven't seen light in my village for more than 30 hours 😂
— Future Billionaire 😌 (@HarvardsTweets) January 2, 2018
Did you notice the blackout?
