Nigerians on Tuesday continued to react angrily to the use of the #BringBackGoodluck2015 hashtag as campaign slogan for President Goodluck Jonathan ahead the February 2015 presidential election.
The offensive hashtag is adapted from the #BringBackOurGirls campaign used to draw global attention to the Jonathan administration’s pathetic response to the tragic abduction of over 250 Chibok girls by Islamist militant group, Boko Haram, in April this year
With more than 200 girls still missing almost five months after their abduction, a group called Goodluck Initiative for Transformation (GIFT) has appropriated the hashtag to campaign for Jonathan’s re-election.
Not only has the Federal Government failed to rescue the abducted girls – some of whom are believed to have died or sold as slaves – Boko Haram continues its slaughter of defenceless Nigerian in the northeast with some towns falling under the control of the insurgents.
The U.N. reports that at least 1.5 million people have been displaced by the conflict since Jonathan’s government declared a state of emergency in May.
Billboards and posters have however emerged in parts of Abuja showing Jonathan’s image alongside the #BringBackGoodluck2015 slogan.
This comes as groups, led by Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria (TAN), hold mega rallies – ostensibly bankrolled by Abuja – to drum up support for Jonathan’s re-election.
The backlash to the pro-Jonathan campaign hashtag has however come thick and fast.
An enraged Bayo Omisore said on Facebook “Total idiocy! Such unbelievable moronic behaviour. But again, this is Nigeria.”
For Oyewale Oyetunde, “The people behind this need mental check. No right thinking human being will like this.”
Farinto Akinkunmi put the blame on Aso Rock, saying “This is to tell you that our President is a sadist and nothing good can come out of him.”
Below are some reactions posted on Twitter knocking the campaigners and Jonathan for his seeming approval of the slogan:
The morally bankrupt adaptation of the #BringBackOurGirls hashtag, towards the campaign of a coward who has failed at his task, says it all.
– #BringBackOurGirls (@gbengasesan)
Whoever is responsible for this #BringBackGoodluck2015 is a big fool!
– Dapsyano (@dapsyano)
It is difficult for anyone to proffer a convincing explanation as to why the #BringBackGoodluck2015 hash-tag makes any sense.
– Dipo Awojide (@OgbeniDipo)
Using this mocking hashtag #BringBackGoodluck2015 is the reason why NO ONE SHOULD VOTE FOR JONATHAN
– (@Numolu)
#BringBackGoodluck2015 is further evidence shame is a scarce commodity in Abuja.
– Festus Eriye (@EriyeFestus)
#BringBackGoodluck2015 indeed. Keep denying it but the Nigerian ship is captained by a hopeless ‘Drunken Sailor’ God save those on board.
– Kayode Ogundamisi (@ogundamisi)
The winner of most insensitive hashtag goes to the new campaign slogan: #BringBackGoodluck2015
– Femi Oke (@FemiOke)
Even for an administration that has always been insensitive, using #BringBackGoodluck2015 is a mockery of not just ChibokGirls but 2 Nigeria
– Bukola Saraki (@bukolasaraki)
In a serious country, the criminals behind #BringBackGoodluck2015 will be arrested and tried for promoting hate speech and terrorism
– Segun Adewale (@wontiboje)
When you have poor advisers, you campaign with #BringBackGoodluck2015. Absolutely unbelievable.
– Richard Oriji (@Richard89039727)
In an article titled ‘This May Be the Most Inappropriate Political Hashtag of the Year’, the Washington Post echoes what many believe while Jonathan has not officially endorsed the new hashtag, “its seeming ubiquity suggests that he is not opposed to it.”
