Juliana Francis
The UK Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, has come under fire after he congratulated the President-Elect, Ahmed Bola Tinubu.
The Prime Minster on his Twitter handle, Rishi Sunak @RishiSunak, stated: “Congratulations to @officialABAT on his victory in Nigeria. The UK-Nigeria relationship remains strong. I look forward to working together to grow our security and trade ties, opening up opportunities for businesses and creating prosperity in both our countries.”
The Prime Minister, following the congratulatory message, has been verbally attacked and insulted by many. Below are a few of the comments.
A Twitter user, Sugar@wilde_sugar, said: “You congratulated someone who hijack a free & fair election in the most populous black nation. You wouldn’t care about the rigging of @officialABAT because you weren’t elected as well. Democracy is a sham!”
Chilee Agunanna@ChileeChills, noted: “Oga, watch it o! You see us here complaining about rigged elections and forged results and you’re congratulating who? Did you not have observers here and are you not seeing the stories coming out from Nigeria? You should join us to demand free and fair elections!”
Another user, Happiest_man@aidelomo_happy, said: “He is not our president dear Sunak. He rigged the elections and more congratulatory messages like yours can gaslight the already angered population of Nigeria. In fact, I would say you delete this tweet until you confirm the facts on ground.@officialABAT is NOT our president!”
OLUOMO OF DERBY 🇳🇬 🇬🇧@Oluomoofderby also has something to say about the discussion. “Stop this nonsense Rushi Sunak. You will be out of Number 10 Downing Street soon. @Keir_Starmer is our incoming Prime Minister. Do they rig the elections in the UK? You call ballot snatching a victory? Shame on you Rushi. The worst PM ever.”
Chikadibia@valentinowpg, opines: “Coming from someone who was never elected by the people. What victory are you talking about?”
Spotlight on #PeterObi #Obidatti023@Spotlight_Abby, had this to say: “Read the room, Rishi. What you described as “his victory” was a travesty of an election by every standard. Nigerians have once again been denigrated by their political jackals. This time, we will challenge the legitimacy. Maybe you shouldn’t let faux diplomacy outweigh morality.”
Hon. Adaora, (EMBA) – LP@janefranc, noted thus: “I hope for goodness’s sake you DID NOT congratulate or endorse the CRIMI NALLY nominated Tinubu as president of Nigeria! If you want him as president, maybe he should move over to the UK and share your government with you. How’s that? Nigerians DID NOT VOTE for him!”
Vulnerable Nigerians@deodemise, observed: “Rishi you have just insulted the Nigerian people because I wonder what would happen if one percent of this sham of an election happened in the UK. You have held the Nigerian nation to an unbelievably low standard.”
Eagles B@BrightOmelihu, said: “It’s really disappointing that you’re congratulating someone who connived with the electoral body to deny Nigerian people their mandate. I believe English people won’t applaud such, I also expect the same from you based on Justice and fairness.”
Prince Samuel Alfred@ItzGentlesam, said: “Obviously your country feeds from the anomalies going on in Nigeria! Mr. Prime Minister sir, did you follow this election at all? Did you listen to the foreign observers? Did you see the videos of violence on Nigerians just to force the ruling party candidate down our throats?”
Obatunde Oladapo@ObatundeOladapo, however, has a contrary view. He tweeted: “Thank you, Rishi. As Nigerians, we are excited about the election of@officialABAT, who we believe is a very capable and experienced person who has the wherewithal to lift our country up to its pride of place in the comity of Nations. God bless the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 and Nigeria.”
Charles@Sire_Charsty, noted: “Not surprised. You had a grand heist selection process similar to what the criminal drug dealer @officialABAT had. Money influenced the selection, rather than people-oriented election. Smh.”
LadyJ 4 PeterObi@JAkposofficial stated: “You have just insulted the sensibilities and goodwill of millions of Nigerians who staked their lives amid intimidation and harassment to vote their choice candidate @PeterObi only for the ruling @OfficialAPCNg to steal our MANDATE in broad daylight! Shame!”
Samuel Ajayi@SamdGreat01, said: “You’re congratulating someone who rigged his way and overturned the will of the people in conjunction with a corrupt electoral body. Mr prime minister, this is an illegitimate process that produced him, it’s not recognized by our electoral act.”
Gabonie@soultie1988 has this to say: “I am very disappointed that you validate this fraud. Shame on you. Millions of Nigerians both at home and even in the UK are depressed because of this sham of an election and you are congratulating a Fraud? I am disappointed.”
I P C@ipcjustice, noted: “Democracy and the will of the people is under attack, with serious ramifications for the world. When elections are rigged or manipulated in such a glaring fashion as we all witnessed in Nigeria, and the will of the people is stolen, this undermines the very foundation.”
Chikwado Cyprian@ChikwadoCy, said: “This is just a confirmation that the international communities give no damn to the affairs of countries like Nigeria. If such fraud and criminality happened in your country, will it be allowed to stand?”
Prolific Evi@evilisten, also chirped in: “You better be careful. He is not our president and will never be. He stole the mandate with the aid of the INEC chairman. Withdraw your congratulations please.”
The Humble Protagonist@Tayeson03, said: “Have you been living under a rock these past couple of days? Are you blind to all the allegations labelled against the government of Nigeria for conducting a most fraudulent election? How irresponsible of someone in your position. You’ve let the country down, I’m ashamed of you.”
Ajida@AjidaCruz, noted: “As always, the UK will approve any evil in Nigeria. It would have been a shocker if you don’t approve of this. Tomorrow, the UK would, with the help of America invade a country under the pretense of saving democracy. A product of a sham election is who you’re congratulating. Shame!”
Máyégú 🇬🇧🇳🇬@airgist also stated on the issue: “You congratulate a stolen mandate? Is that what democracy means to you? Then we shouldn’t be fighting the Ukraine war!”
Johnville500🇳🇬 🇮🇪@Johnville500, said: “I am ashamed of you Rishi. Tinubu was never elected by the majority of voters. Tinubu is INEC’s president not Nigeria’s president.”
Adeonipekun Adeyanju Oluyomi@IAmAdeyanju, happy with the prime minister, tweeted: “Thank you Prime Minister Sunak @RishiSunak. Congratulations President-Elect Bola Tinubu @officialABAT on your victory. Though the electioneering process was not expected as a NATION, we must move TOGETHER regardless of our AFFILIATIONS.”
Muhammad@AdekunleAbolaj1, said: “Thank you once again Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. The Serious Mandate for Nigerians has been welcomed and embraced by well-meaning stakeholders. From here to Renewed Hope and a Prosperous Nation.”
Bello Lukman@BelloLukman11, stated: “Weldone Rishi! We are glad to hear from you congratulating our President-elect, a man of integrity and strategy. He will deliver Nigeria on the right track for sustainable development. We are proud to have a real Democrat as President now.”
