President Muhammadu Buhari has incurred the wrath of many Nigerians for saying losing weight shows Mohammed Adamu, acting inspector-general of police (IGP), is working.
Buhari made the comment while addressing reporters upon his arrival from the UK on Sunday.
A reporter had asked the president : “Are we likely to see a different approach in the fight against insecurity, especially kidnapping, which is a big issue now?” , to which he responded: “You know, I have just seen the IG, he is… I think he is losing weight; so, I think he is working very hard.”
Buhari’s comment was received with shock after the video of the interview surfaced online.
Oby Ezekwesili, former minister of education, accused him of making a joke out of the insecurity in the country.
She said: “And this is supposed to be funny? A President @MBuhari making a joke of the daily drenching of the country in the blood of his citizens who are killed daily without ANY consequence while he bears the title “Commander-in-Chief” ? Carry on.
“I frankly decided to never again waste my Voice on a political class that has no redeeming prospect of caring about their citizens.”
And this is supposed to be funny? A President @MBuhari making a joke of the daily drenching of the country in the blood of his citizens who are killed daily without ANY consequence while he bears the title “Commander-in-Chief” ? Carry on.
Someday the Citizens will be ready. https://t.co/yJyecdigoy
— Oby Ezekwesili (@obyezeks) May 6, 2019
Below are also some other reactions:
I didn’t know insecurity was a weight loss program.
— The_BookSeller (@the_bookseller1) May 6, 2019
This is an unnecessary humour especially at a time when the polity has been heated with fear resulting from serious insecurity challenges across the nation.
— MAKOTINY (@makotiny) May 6, 2019
They asked Buhari what his plans are to curb insecurity & the terrorism menace going on.
My President said ‘The IGP is losing weight, so he must be working’
God forbid this country
— Angie (@Angel_stiitch) May 6, 2019
“I just saw the police IG, I think he is losing weight, so I think he is working very hard” –
President Buhari (on security in the country).This is a huge joke.What has the weight loss of the IGP got to do with a totally collapsed security system & the daily siege on the nation
— Emmanuel Enoidem (@enoidem1964) May 6, 2019
Amidst all the killings and kidnappings Buhari still makes jokes. IGP is loosing weight so IGP is working??
It just tells something about Buhari himself.
— Rahma (@Rjay_omale) May 6, 2019
Sad one… What did we do to deserve this oh Allah
— Tosin (@Donteewrites) May 6, 2019
Does nobody talk to this man @MBuhari ????? At least other presidents of the countries he is travelling to..
— Joshua (@Joshua49144449) May 6, 2019
Did the president just said this rubbish? @MBuhari needs to join the comedy group.
— Dolomisckyyanky (@AdewunmyO) May 6, 2019
In Nigeria when U lose weight you are working hard. Same mentality most of us use in our daily lives. If we don’t sweat in the work or job, U ain’t doing nothing. Sweating and weight loss is the yardstick for hard work. Learnt something new
— BetsRus (@oddminers) May 6, 2019