Xenophobia: ‘No show of loyalty’- Nigerians attack Ezekwesili for attending WEF
Nigerians have attacked former minister of education, Oby Ezekwesili following her decision to attend the World Economic Forum, WEF, in South Africa despite Nigerian government’s withdrawal from the event.
Nigeria yesterday announced it's decision to boycott the World Economic Forum on Africa billed for Capetown, South Africa, from September 4-6, owing to the xenophobic attacks. Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo was to represent Nigeria at the forum. This was the outcome of President Muhammadu Buhari, Osinbajo and Foreign Affairs Minister, Geoffrey Onyeama’s brainstorming session on the raging Xenophobic attacks on Nigerians in South Africa. But, Bashir Ahmaad, aide to President Muhammadu Buhari on his Twitter page disclosed that Ezekwesili and some other Nigerians will still be attending WEF in South Africa on their own. He wrote: “Nigerian government has boycotted the World Economic Forum holding in Cape Town, South Africa, but some individuals from Nigeria, including a former Minister are attending on their own. “Madam Oby Ezekwesili, she is attending the WEF in Cape Town, South Africa.” However, Ezekwesili responding to Ahmaad’s tweet said she would be attending WEF because of citizens at risk in South Africa. She noted that she does not need Buhari’s government to decide her participation in WEF. Her decision has since stirred reactions from some Nigerians who accused her of being insensitive to the killing of Nigerians in South Africa and being self-centered. Other Nigerians on social media compared her to Tiwa Savage who boycotted her performance due to her loyalty to Nigerians.
Here are some comments gathered by Obiaks News from Twitter:
Great job ma
— MaOzi (@Deji_MaOzi) September 4, 2019
Going through the response to your tweets, it is obvious a great number of Nigerians have a myopic view.
Carry on great woman, speak for your people firmly the way we know you can.
Let's face the truth mama, you did what you had to do for you and not for the many Africans especially Nigerians suffering in the #XenophobiaAttack
— The Conversation (@Am_AngelMichael) September 4, 2019
Once again you have proven to Nigerians that you come first just like you disappointed us during the elections.
This is pure betrayal and double standard on your part.. Why are you guys selling us so cheap to these people, why???
— Prince Adetokunbo Olaoye (@prince_ade) September 4, 2019
Assuming Buhari attend this so-called summit...... this bald woman will start rattling anyhow on twitter
— Vapourous (@Gaseous99) September 5, 2019
No ma’am! That’s not how it’s done. You’re meant to boycott & call on their leaders to fix things before you show up there. How can you even plan to spend 3 days in a nation where your fellow Nigerians are being killed and harassed??? This is highly disrespectful.
— Olubukonla Aloba (@Olubukonlaaloba) September 4, 2019
@obyezeks, I have followed you & supported you over the years but this your trip to SA is totally wrong! If you stayed away, it would have had more impact! Not good at all!
— Omo Eko (@cheatmenomore) September 5, 2019
@obyezeks, I have followed you & supported you over the years but this your trip to SA is totally wrong! If you stayed away, it would have had more impact! Not good at all!
— Omo Eko (@cheatmenomore) September 5, 2019