Nigerians in the social media are reacting with outrage to reports confirming that Mrs Ezekwesili is not the only Nigerian in South Africa as the country plays host to the World Economic Forum (WEF).
Governors Nasir El-Rufai, Kayode Fayemi and the Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi are also in South Africa.
Photos of the two Nigerian governors, Nasir El-Rufai and Kayode Fayemi in South Africa who are members of the country’s ruling party – All Progressives Congress (APC), surfaced on social media generating wide conversations about their unpatriotism in the wake of xenophobic attacks on Nigerians in South Africa. Nigeria on Wednesday drastically recalled its High Commissioner to South Africa and also pulled out of participation at the World Economic Forum (WEF).
The Emir of Kano and former Central Bank of Nigeria governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, is also in the country for the conference.
A former minister of education, Obiageli Ezekwesili, was attacked by Nigerians on Twitter for attending the conference on Wednesday, September 4.
Presidential aide, Bashir Ahmad, chided Ezekwesili for attending the event, adding that, “we all thought you would sympathize with them and boycott the WEF.” Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari’s close associates were in South Africa at the time he tweeted.
Aunty @obyezeks you’re properly very educated but unfortunately you failed to understand that those who are being attacked in SA, where you’re at the moment, are also private citizens, we all thought you’d sympathize with them and boycott the @wef to properly protest the attacks. https://t.co/7SBxnWhzMj
— Bashir Ahmad (@BashirAhmaad) September 4, 2019
In the wake of the social media outrage Wednesday, SIGNAL shared footage of portions of Ezekwesili’s speech at the WEF Session she attended.
VIDEO | What Oby Ezekwesili [@obyezeks] said today about #XenophobicAttacks at the WEF Session in South Africa pic.twitter.com/3OZ5Sb59pd
— SIGNAL (@thesignalng) September 4, 2019
Dapo Olorunyomi, publisher of online newspaper, Premium Times, shared a photo of Governor El-Rufai speaking at a conference in Cape Town on Wednesday, September 4.
Nasir el Rufai, governor of Kaduna reflecting on limits of democracy at the Africa in the World Conference in Cape Town pic.twitter.com/9zc1rsDhLA
— Dapo Olorunyomi (@DapsyOly) September 5, 2019
The Kaduna state government also shared photos of Governor El-Rufai in South Africa, meeting potential investors.
Happening Now: Governor Nasir Ahmad @elrufai with other senior officials of the Kaduna State Government are in Pretoria, visiting DENEL SOC LTD, manufacturers of defence equipment and strategic partner for innovative defence, security and related technology solution. pic.twitter.com/ALemMYOddc
— Governor Kaduna (@GovKaduna) September 2, 2019
The photos have sparked another round of controversy as Nigerians are now bashing the governors on social media.
See some tweets;
Mr. Bashir, do you know that El Rufai, Fayemi and SLS are in South Africa for the WEF too. They’re not even private citizens. I wonder what you and the bots you sponsored to attack Madam Oby think about that ???? https://t.co/hQ6Z5akcp0 pic.twitter.com/QdCdYq2sJs
— Chidi Okereke (@Chydee) September 5, 2019
The lawlessness in the land is pervasive. Will any Republican Governor defy President Trump to visit a country he had declined invitation to visit based on the circumstances like we are witnessing in SA? But El’Rufai and Fayemi had to go. Total insult and disregard of PMB.
— Mazi (@matthewamad) September 5, 2019
So Mallam Nasir El rufai, Emir Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, and Governor Fayemi were all at the WEF, but @BashirAhmaad and Buharists singled out Oby because maligning her will make us forget our President can’t pronounce Xenophobia.
— BONARIO NNAGS (@bonario89) September 5, 2019
We are a disappointing nation. A decision as official as boycotting South Africa to demonstrate our grievances can’t be adhered to by key government officials and a monarch of international repute? What’s the essence of the boycott again? Can you explain this, @BashirAhmaad? Hah! pic.twitter.com/wu2OpOSwWe
— Gimba Kakanda (@gimbakakanda) September 5, 2019
Just when I thought me and you were finally agreeing on something, never knew you dishonest Buharists just decided to use @obyezeks as scapegoat for attending WEF, while your sacred Cows, Fayemi, Elrufai & SLS are also in South Africa drinking Umqombothi. https://t.co/0Vdoz1v2ba
— Mr Stanley Nwabia (@MrStanleyNwabia) September 5, 2019
If EL-Rufai and Kayode Fayemi are in South Africa for the World Economic Forum, how then did Nigeria boycott it?
That’s an entire squad of Nigeria ‘s elected leaders from the ruling party.— The Papi (@tawah89) September 5, 2019
Elected officials @elrufai & @kfayemi were in South Africa for the conference but @BashirAhmaad aide to @MBuhari decided to question the presence of @obyezeks a private citizen in SA.
Waxing distractions to stop you from holding goverment accountable.
????????♂️????????
— Rosanwo (@rosanwo) September 5, 2019
WEF was only boycotted on paper and on Twitter, if at this stage of your life, you still take this government seriously or you still take people like Bashir n co serious then you are a bigger fool. Yes I said it.Big Fool that’s who you are.
Wait for madam obey to stop xenophobic
— Chief of Port Harcourt (@OpuiyoMike) September 5, 2019
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