Social Media Roundup: House of Cards

On Tuesday morning, as early as 6:30 am, officers of the Nigerian Police Force reportedly blocked the exits of the homes of the Senate President Bukola Saraki and his deputy Ike Ekweremadu to prevent them from going to the National Assembly.

Apparently, they were being prevented from presiding over the defection of 15 senators from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). However, Bukola Saraki was able to escape the siege and made it to the National Assembly around 10:40 AM.

According to certain reports, he was able to leave his home under the guise of honouring a police invitation while other reports claimed that his escape involved some covert operations featuring disguises and changing of cars.

Anyway, against all odds, he presided over the defection of 15 senators. Read the full list here.

Here’s how Nigerians reacted.

SARAKI'S ESCAPE FROM HIS HOUSE WHILE OUR SECURITY AGENTS WAITED & BLOCKED HIS EMPTY CONVOY OF CARS IS A LAUGHABLE SERIOUS INDICTMENT OF OUR IGP.

How can we have confidence in a man like that?

I hope that Libyans won't take over under his WATCH & SEIZE ASO ROCK.

— JENNY OKAFOR (@Jennycokafor) July 24, 2018

Saraki drives self to NASS in rickety vehicle, foils attempt to change principal Officers of the Senate!! Ordinary to block Saraki from leaving his house, the NPF still bungled it!! If na to block highway now, no fly fit escape their blockade.. 😂😂😂

— adetoro NURUDEEN (@babstoroo) July 24, 2018

I support what Saraki is doing because I am pragmatic, and he's the right man for the job at this point in time. Men will have to do this job, not angels.

How will Nigeria benefit if Buhari consolidates power? As he neither has the vision nor the competence to move us forward.

— Onye Nkuzi (@cchukudebelu) July 25, 2018

All politicians fight for their selfish interests. The major task in a democracy is to get those selfish interests to align with yours.

Saraki is demonstrating that there is more than one center of power in Nigeria's murky politics. That is a starting point.

— Onye Nkuzi (@cchukudebelu) July 24, 2018

We have to give Saraki some credit for what he's done for democracy in the last few years.

From stopping Tinubu from being VP to stopping Tinubu/Buhari from hijacking the NASS.

It might be for his personal ambitions but they're also good for Nigeria's democracy.

— KOBZ (@AgbaKobz) July 25, 2018

Buhari would spend the remaining period of his tenure fighting to survive impeachment. No more politics for him. By the time he is done, he is defeated and Daura bound. The strategy is tight and too tight for him to escape defeat. Saraki is the G.O.A.T.

— Jackson Ude (@jacksonpbn) July 24, 2018

House of Cards

15APC Senators have defected to the PDP.

That means APC is now the minority party in the Nigerian Senate. And the President can technically easily be impeached.

Now APC needs Saraki more than he needs them.

Bukola Saraki is the undisputed King of the Nigerian House of Cards.

— #OurFavOnlineDoc 🩺 🇬🇧 (@OurFavOnlineDoc) July 24, 2018

Bukola Frank Underwood Saraki.

Welcome to Nigeria's House of Cards. pic.twitter.com/iEuCrDkSja

— Eka (@Lionezz__) July 24, 2018

https://twitter.com/ImanMunal/status/1021735363612758016

https://twitter.com/TomiOdunlami/status/1021716582823813120

Other reactions

You wanna know how to win a CCT Trial unstained? Study ABS 101
You wanna know how to escape a coup plot? Study ABS 201
You wanna Know how to win majority to your side? Study ABS 301
ABS not Automatic Brake System but Abubakar Bukola Saraki#Sarakiology #ABS #Winner pic.twitter.com/GDAKgnABGP

— OWOLAGBA (@richlyf) July 25, 2018

My politician of the year goes to @SPNigeria Bukola Saraki. The guy just knows how to escape deadly traps.💪 pic.twitter.com/PwBCH99KtI

— Momoh JJ (@MOMOH_JJ) July 25, 2018

Never trust the Nigeria Police to do a good job, common blockage they can't block, investigation they can't do, security they can't provide. Why block the road if Saraki is going to escape. pic.twitter.com/w6rVC8RSfX

— DTruthMustBeTold (@eyitt) July 24, 2018

From APC to PDP

Barely 14 hours later, 37 members of the House of Representatives also reportedly defected from APC to PDP. Governors too.

Gov Tambuwal of Sokoto State is the latest defector from APC to PDP… #Dazzol

— Lere Olayinka – Aresa 1 (@OlayinkaLere) July 25, 2018

Just In: The defection saga continues, Governor Ortom decides at last. Benue Governor returns to the #PDP amidst drama in Makurdi. Who is next? #APC

— SeunOkin Channels tv (@seunokin) July 25, 2018

Reactions

Yesterday's drama… Nollywood 'Police Siege'.

Today's Drama… 'Youths' with well prepared placards 'stopped' Gov. Ortom from attending reconciliation meeting with APC… He 'listened to dem' by not going and joined PDP.

— Jubril A. Gawat (@Mr_JAGs) July 25, 2018

https://twitter.com/henryshield/status/1022213861787803649?s=19

TRANSFER UPDATE

Benue Striker, Ortom has rejoined PDP after a disastrous Loan move to Relegation threatened APC

Transfer Fees/Terms remain Undisclosed

But many Club Fans say he is not certain to retain the No. 9 shirt ahead of 2019 season #NffcEPLCountDown

— Ebube The Statesman (@akaebube) July 25, 2018

Kalu Korrect said:

This is rainy season, you don’t expect a member of the House of Assembly to be moving about with a broom when there’s an Umbrella.

APC To PDP

😂😂

— Joshteefied (@penmystories) July 25, 2018

EFCC calculating how to indict 15 APC senators that decamped to PDP pic.twitter.com/59GkhwyfqL

— Emeka (@_justEmeka) July 24, 2018

There’s more drama, catch up here. Read on for other trending topics on social media this week.

Where’s Dino Melaye?

Yesterday, Senator Ben Murray Bruce disclosed that Senator Dino Melaye was abducted by unknown men on his way to Kogi.

I have just been informed by Moses Melaye, @dino_melaye’s brother, that Dino has been abducted by unknown persons in a Toyota Sienna that blocked their car and overpowered them on their way to Kogi to answer to Dino’s court case. Lets be on the watch out. Will keep you updated.

— Ben Murray-Bruce (@benmurraybruce) July 26, 2018

Then we saw this;

We’ve Not Received Any Report Of Dino Melaye’s Kidnap – Police. https://t.co/1XEorEdHgF pic.twitter.com/wwzDGNdqIv

— Channels Television (@channelstv) July 26, 2018

And this too;

FLASH: Senator Dino Melaye @dino_melaye not kidnapped, he spoke to relatives and some Senators assuring them he’s hiding in the “bush” to avoid being charged to court and that he will reappear disheveled in coming days. pic.twitter.com/OswGH5m9ey

— Sahara Reporters (@SaharaReporters) July 27, 2018

Well, some Nigerians didn’t buy Senator Bruce’s story anyway

Another day, another Dino Melaye headline

— Ebuka Obi-Uchendu (@Ebuka) July 26, 2018

Dino Melaye was 'kidnapped' and his brother called Ben Bruce instead of Police. Poorly scripted Political Movie… Call it Pollywood.

— Slimfit (@iSlimfit) July 27, 2018

These politicians know our mumu buttons though.

Day 1: Police blocked Saraki from honoring their invitation
Day 2: Youths blocked Gov Ortom from attending a peace meeting in Abuja
DAY 3: Unknown gunmen abducted Dino Melaye and whisked him away

The crowd keeps cheering!!!

— Sir Tee (@iameneji) July 26, 2018

For more Dino Melaye drama, text 101 to 080552301456.

— Dr Dípò Awójídé (@OgbeniDipo) July 26, 2018

How convenient to get kidnapped just on your to a court hearing you have previously attempted to shun or dodge? Well done o, Oga @dino_melaye. May God keep you safe for us. And especially for Lady Justice!

— Gimba Kakanda (@gimbakakanda) July 27, 2018

Bring Back Our Dino

Whether Dino Melaye is playing a Script or not, the fact remains he is missing @ the moment. Lets find him and know the author of the script

— Sunny Idoko (@sunite03) July 26, 2018

So Dino Melaye was abducted in broad day light?

We all know those responsible. Everyone opposing this government should prepare for the unthinkable.

— Comrade Deji Adeyanju (@adeyanjudeji) July 26, 2018

Breaking News! Senator Dino Melaye has been reportedly abducted by unknown gunmen in a Toyota Sienna that blocked their car and overpowered them on their way to Lokoja to answer to Dino’s court case.

Nigeria is no more safe who is next ? pic.twitter.com/su0LESIbOu

— Uche Ezeonye Official (@uche_ezeonye) July 26, 2018

Dino Melaye was kidnapped this morning on his way to Kogi state to attend his court hearing.

And yet, no single media outfit has seen it proper to make it a breaking news

A serving Nigerian senator kidnapped and its not a breaking news?

Everything is wrong with this country! pic.twitter.com/ewGNVLWkgT

— Broda Ayo (@deyemiayo) July 26, 2018

He’s back…

I thank God once again for escaping another dangerous attack. I also thank Nigerians for their prayers and show of Love. Spent 11 hours in the wilderness traumatized but God preserved me. God is the best and in whom ONLY I trust. They will continue to try. WE SHALL OVERCOME!!!

— Senator Dino Melaye. (SDM) (@_dinomelaye) July 27, 2018

Reactions

Drama king, Dino Melaye has announced his return on twitter barely 24 hours after claims he was abducted surfaced online. Will he be 'abducted' again on the next date he is expected to appear in court? We wait as the drama continue to unfold.

— Abubakar Sidiq Usman (@MrAbuSidiq) July 27, 2018

https://twitter.com/Rouvafe/status/1022788353970921473

Baba we hail..
Jail breaker
Michael Scofield
Baba we greet pic.twitter.com/XitJuZnTrN

— Gadget pharaoh (@gadget_pharaoh) July 27, 2018

Twitter Rapture

This week, a number of Nigerian influencers were suspended on Twitter. According to a Twitter user, here’s why;

https://twitter.com/trending_medic/status/1022417632836968459

Victims of the “rapture” had to begin from scratch

https://twitter.com/Semilore_Akoni/status/1022545493535154177

This one that twitter rapture took my account
I hope when the Real rapture comes, it will take me 😭

— St. UGLIعST III • 🥤† (@skizyman) July 26, 2018

Help gain back. #TwitterRapture #TwitterPurge #twitterpurge2018 was on 5k. #Rt my former follower may be on your #TL pic.twitter.com/ePLQKf0UT1

— Sewa ❤️ (@Daintymorenike) July 26, 2018

https://twitter.com/itstrapa/status/1022358102098812929

https://twitter.com/blac_cappuccino/status/1022476192404983808

Tribute to our fallen influencer accounts

Who has the new account of Kelvin Odanz? I heard man didn't survive twitter rapture 😭

— ⚡Oba Of Japan⚡ (@teejano) July 26, 2018

https://twitter.com/Olatooro/status/1022569687060766723

https://twitter.com/Chris___Haze/status/1022819034381934595

Other reactions

https://twitter.com/HEAD_MASTA/status/1022401553628651520

Twitter Rapture is real yo!

You'll just be chatting with someone before you know it the account have disappeared 😂😂

— E-zrael Ani (@EzraelAni) July 25, 2018

This twitter rapture no be here oo… People aren’t even scared of the second coming of Christ as much 😭

— Mo’🌶🌶 (@mzgbeborun) July 26, 2018

Twitter rapture has occurred, and those of us that still have our handles have the mark of the beast.
We will now face Anti-twitter spam bots, to test our fate in the coming weeks 😁.

— Gemedia (@Gemedia_) July 25, 2018

Let’s all report Yomi Shogunle

Yesterday, Yomi Shogunle, Assistant Commissioner of Police and Head of the Nigerian Police Force’s Public Complaint Rapid Response Unit (PCRRU) posted a tweet that many Nigerians found very insensitive.

186 million Retweets to #EndSARS.
Oya let’s go!

— Abayomi Shogunle, 𝘧𝘴𝘪 (@YomiShogunle) July 26, 2018

Here’s how they reacted;

I don’t know whether or not I should be, but I am actually worried that @YomiShogunle carries a gun. https://t.co/vc4W7J1Fcj

— Dr Joe Abah, OON (@DrJoeAbah) July 27, 2018

https://twitter.com/PRODEEGY/status/1022725545057046529

https://twitter.com/Iam_Abdulaxis/status/1022562222034309120

But Yomi Shogunle has kids, friends and other relatives…how did they let his life get to this stage?? It’s so baffling..like aren’t they ashamed?

— ChiefLegit.eth (@Chief_Legit) July 26, 2018

Yomi Shogunle is the personification of everything that's wrong with the Nigeria Police Force: he's uncouth, unprofessional & insensitive.

I shudder to think of what such a man would do to, say, protesters against police brutality in real life away from the scrutiny of Twitter.

— Teezon! (@TeezyFBaby1) July 27, 2018

#SuspendYomiShogunle

Tommorow I want to lead a campaign to report Yomi shogunle's handle.

Retweet if you are with me !

— Olúyẹmí Fásípè AICMC (@YemieFash) July 26, 2018

Rather than exchange words with YOMI SHOGUNLE I've chosen to report his account, if twitter gets 3 more, his account will be suspended pic.twitter.com/ciNcN6FyHi

— 20-10-2020 (@DirectorSolomon) July 27, 2018

For those seeking how to contribute to #EndSARS #ReformPoliceNG given that people die daily from the impunity of the Armed Robbers and Kidnappers issued Guns by the state to run amok. Please report @YomiShogunle’s handle today for being Hateful & Abusive. #PowerBelongs2U pic.twitter.com/Fxu8IA1pLr

— SEGA L'éveilleur® (@segalink) July 27, 2018

https://twitter.com/idkaay07/status/1022774052040138752

https://twitter.com/ani_nomso/status/1022783254297030656