Nigerians have criticized President Bola Tinubu for unveiling the world’s biggest portrait of himself as the nation celebrates Democracy Day.
As the hallmark of the Democracy Day celebration, Tinubu unveiled a mammoth portrait of himself at Eagles Square in Abuja.
Originally scheduled for May 29, it will be remembered that the administration of former president Muhammadu Buhari moved the Democracy Day celebration to June 12 in honor of the late Nigerian politician MKO Abiola.
While many berated Tinubu for unveiling a portrait of himself, others noted that Abiola’s portrait should have been unveiled instead.
Describing it as the “height of insensitivity,” renowned Nigerian journalist Oseni Rufai, in a statement on X on Wednesday, lamented that “unveiling the president’s portrait on democracy day is the height of insensitivity.” So what about Abiola, who died for this democracy?”
“One would normally think the APC scoundrels have some good reasoning, but the contrary is the case, as it often happens since their emergence at the presidency,” Webber Smiths argued.
“Who would think it’s not Abiola’s (man on whose account democracy day date was picked) portrait they’d be unveiling?” he added.
Alluding to the story of King Herod in the Holy Bible, Flourish Jem described Tinubu’s actions as “self-glorification like King Herod.
“That’s why God disgraced him openly. His next fall may be his last if he refuses to repent.”
“They moved Democracy Day from May 29th to June 12th, claiming it’s to honor Abiola, but today they are celebrating themselves instead of democracy and Abiola. What lesson do we learn from this democracy, which does seem to have recruited more criminals than honest men and women?” Akali Charles argued.
An X user simply identified as Jeu urged the President to take down the portrait when he said, “A man who stole the position he occupies, what a disgrace. Democracy Day is in Abiola, not Tinubu. Please take down that portrait.”
Obinali Henry argues that “Tinubu is naturally a selfish person. He never cared about Abiola or whatever he represented. Tinubu cares only about himself; that is the mindset of a drug lord. Use others to achieve your purpose, Emilokan.”
Atoni Atoni mentioned that the unveiling of the Nigerian leader’s portrait on Democracy Day is “a betrayal and an insult to the late Abiola. The right portrait would have been Abiola’s.”
Simply identified on X as Wado, he described the unveiling of the portrait as a “big shame for the kind of leaders we have. MKO died unjustly for democracy. He won an election that was canceled for no just reason, yet it is the portrait of a mandate snatcher that was unveiled.”
“Very senseless government. They do not care. Talk as much as you like; they are in power, and no one can do anything. Should I become president one day, I will make sure they are all arrested along with their children. This is pure wickedness of the highest order,” Robinson stated.
