It
is no longer news that the advent of the social media has had a great
impact on Nigerians as they associate, network, interact and connect on
its many platforms. Research has revealed that Nigerians on the social
media are exceptional when it comes to creativity.
Many users reinvent personal or environmental happenings in a hilarious manner. National matters or governmental issues and political statements are not left out. Many of these are largely twisted in a derogatory or funny way.
It will be recalled that the immediate past president, Dr Goodluck Jonathan and his wife, Patience, and other political office holders in his government were victims of this development, as they were often mimicked on the social media. Many will not easily forget the statement of the ex-president during his first political campaign season, “I has no shoes.” This generated lots of cartoons and wisecracks on social platforms, with salacious undertones.
However, now that the Jonathan regime has gracefully bowed and Buhari has taken the reins of power, he has taken the centre stage on the social media. Buhari’s first official speech before thousands of dignitaries, including presidents from around the world, party chieftains, captains of industry among others at the Eagles’ Square, Abuja, last Friday, generated series of reactions from every part of Nigeria.
This development could be ascribed to the fact that the new president and his administration are the next targets of social media reaction, whether positive or negative. From Buhari’s inaugural speech, Nigerians carefully selcted a statement, “I belong to everybody and I belong to nobody,” and gave it different connotations. Laptops, mobile phones and ipads have been extremely busy in the last few days.
One one level, the statement reads like a paradox. Paradox in poetry serves to create tension in readers’ minds through its combination of words that seem illogical at first, but then very rich on a deeper reflection. How, for instance, could President Buhari belong to everybody and nobody at the same time?
On another level, the statement exemplifies antithesis, a figure of speech which refers to the juxtaposition of opposing or contrasting ideas. Thus, “I belong to everybody,” cohabits the same space with “I belong to nobody” in Buhari’s now famous statement which a Nigerian called “A1 English.” (excellent English).
The various mutations...
One of the major postings doing the rounds on the social media is a picture that purports to show the sober reactions of former heads of state, Chief Ernest Sonekan and Chief Olusegun Obasanjo at the very moment that Buhari made his famous comment. The posting depicts the two former leaders, who incidentally are from the South-West geo-political zone, adjusting their caps in bewilderment as the meaning of the expression soaked in. The impression created is that these leaders, particularly Obasanjo, were gripped by fear, as they might not have any hold on the new president even though they contributed significantly to his ascendance to the exalted seat.
Enter another adaptation, a confused facial expression of a national leader of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Chief Amed Tinubu, bearing the inscription: “Please, call me-Bola Everybody Tinubu.” Since Buhari now belongs to everybody, the posting suggests, then Tinubu would simply have to change his name in order to have unfettered access to his party man. The hidden message, as in the first posting, is that Tinubu is a manipulative and capricious politician.
Sunday Tribune also spotted another posting with the picture of the president and his wife. In this picture, the comedy vacates the political plane and descends on the marital plane. The First Lady is purportedly querying her husband immediately after he returned to his sit after his inaugural speech. “Did you say you belong to nobody? Even me?”
Buhari’s reply: “Na joke now” (It is a joke).
Another posting that went viral on the social media was the demonstration of a lady who declared that she belonged to everybody and nobody when her spouse asked why she was cheating on him! In real life, how many women can make such an expensive statement before their husbands?
Nigerians react
Obiageli Ezekwezili
Former Minister of Education, shared her thoughts on her Twitter handle, describing the statement as a vital one. She wrote: “This quote can be the cornerstones of #ActiveCitizens’ VIGILANCE. #Voice.”
Patrick Obahiagbon
The Chief of Staff of to the Edo State governor, commented in one of his social media handles : “I belong to everybody, I belong to nobody”-Yoda won’t be too pleased with that...”
Ayodele Aguda, comedian
The comedian, while extending greetings to his fans, family and associates on the new month, took to his social media handle to broadcast a message : “This new dispensation of change shall be favorable for us all and as a compere and a comedian, I belong to everybody and I belong to nobody.
Sunday Tribune also spotted Mancunian Stormborn’s comment on the quote. He wrote on his twitter handle that: “Yet dem say him no get WAEC certificate...Their papa!! That’s A1 English right there.” (Yet they say this man doesn’t have O-level certificate! Damn their fathers! That’s excellent English!).
Yemi Alade, musician
The artiste posted her own interpretation of the quote on twitter, asking men what would happpen if: “After paying her school fees from primary one to 400 level, you now ask for her hand in marriage and she tells you, ‘I belong to everybody and nobody.”
Fred Ubong, a critic
In another reaction, Fred Ubong, a critic, wondered if Buhari actually meant what he said. “I belong to everybody and I belong to nobody. What about your sponsors? What about your party? And those you surrounded yourself with. It is good to make statements. I’m watching,” he wrote.
Again, Jamiu Jeemy Nojeem, a CWAY Nigeria Drinking Water Science & Technology co. Ltd staff member, said: “Baba belongs to us and Baba also belongs to nobody. Chai, there is God o. 2015.”
Another commentator, Raphael Ike, said: “We battled even on social media and, by the grace of God, we won. I pray that God helps our new president to fulfill his dreams and promises for Nigeria. He said he belongs to everybody and he belongs to nobody, meaning that there will be no discrimination, partiality and sacred cows in his leadership. That is exactly the kind of leader this country needs at this point in time so that our God-given resources can be evenly distributed to all Nigerians. May God see you through, GMB and save Nigeria.”
Another commentator who simply identified himself as Austin77478 noted: “What I deduced from “I belong to no one” is that PMB doesn’t have a godfather. People like Tinubu and Amaechi can’t dictate to him on what to do, because they may have helped him one way or the other.
One Masha Houston also said: “I belong to everyone and belong to nobody. A simple English idiomatic expression from a 72-year-old man people claim is “uneducated” seems to have caused the educated elite of this chat room to publicly display their inadequacies. Makes me wonder who is really uneducated. Buhari is simply saying ‘I am here to serve you, yet I am my own man.’ ”
Another speaker who called himself Rmbunctious Billionaire, queried: “How can you say you belong to everybody and you do not belong to someone? Children, this is what happens to you when you do not go to school.”
One Abayomi Olawale added another comic dimension to the story when he wrote: “Sorry baby, just incase you sight me with another lady any time, just remember that I belong to nobody.”
But one Nses remarked that the statement was contradictory. “To say I belong to everyone, then turn around and deny it by saying I belong to nobody, amounts to self contradiction by the new president. And even in the military to which the president claimed he belonged in the time past, you don’t just open your mouth saying such. President Buhari must learn in public speaking, the act of absolution, self preservation and restraint in order to avoid public scrutiny in the era of mass communication. Plainly, that is common sense, knowing how and when to speak, when not to speak. The president cannot say I belong to nobody. Attendance of studies in public policy and social graces in the university would have liberated the president at this time from such a public statement.”
Then, one Anakin Skywalker noted: “I belong to everybody and I belong to nobody. Dropping quotable on his first day of work. All I asked from Jonathan since 2011.”
Finally, one Sidney wondered: “How many hours before we start having T-shirts with “I belong to everybody but I belong to nobody?”
It is no wonder than that Buhari’s quote has been described as the reigning ‘fact’ in the country.
Many users reinvent personal or environmental happenings in a hilarious manner. National matters or governmental issues and political statements are not left out. Many of these are largely twisted in a derogatory or funny way.
It will be recalled that the immediate past president, Dr Goodluck Jonathan and his wife, Patience, and other political office holders in his government were victims of this development, as they were often mimicked on the social media. Many will not easily forget the statement of the ex-president during his first political campaign season, “I has no shoes.” This generated lots of cartoons and wisecracks on social platforms, with salacious undertones.
However, now that the Jonathan regime has gracefully bowed and Buhari has taken the reins of power, he has taken the centre stage on the social media. Buhari’s first official speech before thousands of dignitaries, including presidents from around the world, party chieftains, captains of industry among others at the Eagles’ Square, Abuja, last Friday, generated series of reactions from every part of Nigeria.
This development could be ascribed to the fact that the new president and his administration are the next targets of social media reaction, whether positive or negative. From Buhari’s inaugural speech, Nigerians carefully selcted a statement, “I belong to everybody and I belong to nobody,” and gave it different connotations. Laptops, mobile phones and ipads have been extremely busy in the last few days.
One one level, the statement reads like a paradox. Paradox in poetry serves to create tension in readers’ minds through its combination of words that seem illogical at first, but then very rich on a deeper reflection. How, for instance, could President Buhari belong to everybody and nobody at the same time?
On another level, the statement exemplifies antithesis, a figure of speech which refers to the juxtaposition of opposing or contrasting ideas. Thus, “I belong to everybody,” cohabits the same space with “I belong to nobody” in Buhari’s now famous statement which a Nigerian called “A1 English.” (excellent English).
The various mutations...
One of the major postings doing the rounds on the social media is a picture that purports to show the sober reactions of former heads of state, Chief Ernest Sonekan and Chief Olusegun Obasanjo at the very moment that Buhari made his famous comment. The posting depicts the two former leaders, who incidentally are from the South-West geo-political zone, adjusting their caps in bewilderment as the meaning of the expression soaked in. The impression created is that these leaders, particularly Obasanjo, were gripped by fear, as they might not have any hold on the new president even though they contributed significantly to his ascendance to the exalted seat.
Enter another adaptation, a confused facial expression of a national leader of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Chief Amed Tinubu, bearing the inscription: “Please, call me-Bola Everybody Tinubu.” Since Buhari now belongs to everybody, the posting suggests, then Tinubu would simply have to change his name in order to have unfettered access to his party man. The hidden message, as in the first posting, is that Tinubu is a manipulative and capricious politician.
Sunday Tribune also spotted another posting with the picture of the president and his wife. In this picture, the comedy vacates the political plane and descends on the marital plane. The First Lady is purportedly querying her husband immediately after he returned to his sit after his inaugural speech. “Did you say you belong to nobody? Even me?”
Buhari’s reply: “Na joke now” (It is a joke).
Another posting that went viral on the social media was the demonstration of a lady who declared that she belonged to everybody and nobody when her spouse asked why she was cheating on him! In real life, how many women can make such an expensive statement before their husbands?
Obiageli Ezekwezili
Former Minister of Education, shared her thoughts on her Twitter handle, describing the statement as a vital one. She wrote: “This quote can be the cornerstones of #ActiveCitizens’ VIGILANCE. #Voice.”
Patrick Obahiagbon
The Chief of Staff of to the Edo State governor, commented in one of his social media handles : “I belong to everybody, I belong to nobody”-Yoda won’t be too pleased with that...”
Ayodele Aguda, comedian
The comedian, while extending greetings to his fans, family and associates on the new month, took to his social media handle to broadcast a message : “This new dispensation of change shall be favorable for us all and as a compere and a comedian, I belong to everybody and I belong to nobody.
Sunday Tribune also spotted Mancunian Stormborn’s comment on the quote. He wrote on his twitter handle that: “Yet dem say him no get WAEC certificate...Their papa!! That’s A1 English right there.” (Yet they say this man doesn’t have O-level certificate! Damn their fathers! That’s excellent English!).
Yemi Alade, musician
The artiste posted her own interpretation of the quote on twitter, asking men what would happpen if: “After paying her school fees from primary one to 400 level, you now ask for her hand in marriage and she tells you, ‘I belong to everybody and nobody.”
Fred Ubong, a critic
In another reaction, Fred Ubong, a critic, wondered if Buhari actually meant what he said. “I belong to everybody and I belong to nobody. What about your sponsors? What about your party? And those you surrounded yourself with. It is good to make statements. I’m watching,” he wrote.
Again, Jamiu Jeemy Nojeem, a CWAY Nigeria Drinking Water Science & Technology co. Ltd staff member, said: “Baba belongs to us and Baba also belongs to nobody. Chai, there is God o. 2015.”
Another commentator, Raphael Ike, said: “We battled even on social media and, by the grace of God, we won. I pray that God helps our new president to fulfill his dreams and promises for Nigeria. He said he belongs to everybody and he belongs to nobody, meaning that there will be no discrimination, partiality and sacred cows in his leadership. That is exactly the kind of leader this country needs at this point in time so that our God-given resources can be evenly distributed to all Nigerians. May God see you through, GMB and save Nigeria.”
Another commentator who simply identified himself as Austin77478 noted: “What I deduced from “I belong to no one” is that PMB doesn’t have a godfather. People like Tinubu and Amaechi can’t dictate to him on what to do, because they may have helped him one way or the other.
One Masha Houston also said: “I belong to everyone and belong to nobody. A simple English idiomatic expression from a 72-year-old man people claim is “uneducated” seems to have caused the educated elite of this chat room to publicly display their inadequacies. Makes me wonder who is really uneducated. Buhari is simply saying ‘I am here to serve you, yet I am my own man.’ ”
Another speaker who called himself Rmbunctious Billionaire, queried: “How can you say you belong to everybody and you do not belong to someone? Children, this is what happens to you when you do not go to school.”
One Abayomi Olawale added another comic dimension to the story when he wrote: “Sorry baby, just incase you sight me with another lady any time, just remember that I belong to nobody.”
But one Nses remarked that the statement was contradictory. “To say I belong to everyone, then turn around and deny it by saying I belong to nobody, amounts to self contradiction by the new president. And even in the military to which the president claimed he belonged in the time past, you don’t just open your mouth saying such. President Buhari must learn in public speaking, the act of absolution, self preservation and restraint in order to avoid public scrutiny in the era of mass communication. Plainly, that is common sense, knowing how and when to speak, when not to speak. The president cannot say I belong to nobody. Attendance of studies in public policy and social graces in the university would have liberated the president at this time from such a public statement.”
Then, one Anakin Skywalker noted: “I belong to everybody and I belong to nobody. Dropping quotable on his first day of work. All I asked from Jonathan since 2011.”
Finally, one Sidney wondered: “How many hours before we start having T-shirts with “I belong to everybody but I belong to nobody?”
It is no wonder than that Buhari’s quote has been described as the reigning ‘fact’ in the country.
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