Criticism has trailed the presidency’s decision to disable comments on tweets from President Muhammadu Buhari’s official Twitter handle @MBuhari.
The current administration has been the recipient of a barrage of criticism especially over its handling of security and the economy.
Many Nigerians constantly take to social media to attack the presidency for rising food prices, wanton killings and kidnappings of hapless Nigerians, among others.
This newspaper could not immediately confirm if the constant criticisms necessitated the decision to lock the comment section of the president’s tweets.
However, an investigation by The Herald showed that comments on tweets from the handle were disabled on January 15, 2021, as tweets from January 14 had comments from readers.
Here is a tweet from January 14, before the comment section was disabled:
Today I received a briefing on the Presidential Infrastructural Development Fund (PIDF), managed by the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA). Through the PIDF our administration is investing hundreds of millions of dollars in critical road infrastructure across Nigeria.
— Muhammadu Buhari (@MBuhari) January 14, 2021
And another from January 15, when the comment section was disabled:
May the souls of all our departed heroes continue to rest in peace. We will continue to strive to ensure that their sacrifices on our behalf will never be in vain.
— Muhammadu Buhari (@MBuhari) January 15, 2021
Rapper, Jude “MI” Abaga mocked the presidency for the action.
He wrote, “Our president closed his replies…”
Many Nigerians who reacted to his comment berated the presidency for the action, saying it further corroborated claims that President Buhari does not value feedback from those he is leading.
Former presidential candidate, Dr Kingsley Moghalu wrote, “Unbelievable! The message is clear: keep your opinions or suggestions to yourselves. I’m not interested!”
Read other comments below:
He was never interested! Who ever packed buhari and made him a worthy candidate for an election needs to be given an Oscars! Longest Con in Nigeria's history !
— MR B.Ü.ß.H.M.Å.Ñ.Ñ® (@usaniosim) May 6, 2021
They perhaps care less about feedback from the electorate.
— Rinu #EndSARS🔥🔫 (@SavvyRinu) May 6, 2021
The one sided relationship we found ourselves.
— EL (@EnitanLagos) May 6, 2021
Toxic relationship, our president no like communication… pic.twitter.com/f61r2Vxeq0
— crackhead tailor (@ib_benny5) May 6, 2021