Social Media Trends For Thursday 22nd October 2020

21 Oct. 2020 update: Good morning Nigeria, welcome to mnaija.com trending gist on social media platforms in Nigeria for Thursday 22nd October 2020.

Tompolo

The reappearance of former militant leader, Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo aka Tompolo has sent shock waves across the social media space.

Tompolo, leader of the dreaded Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta (MEND), went into hiding after President Muhammadu Buhari came into power in 2015.

Many on social media have associated his sudden appearance with war, as they alleged that the militant chief owns a warship. But others, however, doused the tension, affirming that Tompolo was for peace.

Where is Buhari

Some Nigerians have expressed surprise that President Muhammadu Buhari has not yet said anything concerning the current situation in the country, thus prompting the hashtag, ‘WhereIsBuhari’.

They said the current wave of protests across the country might not end any sooner if the government continues to treat it with levity, adding that there was no sense of genuine concern or empathy.

Zamfara

The state trended on social media following the reported killing of about 20 people by bandits.

A cross-section of Nigerians who reacted, called the attention of the government to the plight of people who have been attacked by bandits and terrorists in the northern part of the country.

They also lamented the worsening security situation in some northern states, adding that more need to be done to protect lives and property.

Sanwo-Olu

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, had a hectic time exonerating himself and the state government from the Lekki tollgate incident.

This was as his interview on Arise TV became a hot topic on social media, with many saying he was dabbling back and forth due to want for words to cover up the atrocities committed against the peaceful protesters.

OneNigeria

Despite the civil unrest in some parts of the country, Nigerians have taken to social media to restate their commitment to one strong, united, and indivisible Nigeria.

Amid the turmoil and uproar generated by the EndSARS protests, many have called on fellow compatriots to weather the storm and work towards the unity of the country. They advised the people to resist politicians who have been using the threat of division to achieve their selfish ends.

Ikoyi Prison

An attempted jailbreak was today reported at the Ikoyi Prison following a fire outbreak ostensibly caused by hoodlums.

There were viral videos of the incident everywhere on social media, though with little reactions.

COVID-19

Viral videos and reports have shown that dozens of residents in Lagos carted away food items stacked in a warehouse in Monkey Village, Maza Maza, in Amuwo Odofin.

Many, however, took to social media to describe the development as unfortunate as they decried what they perceived as a deliberate attempt to divert what was meant for the masses.

But contrary to the views of many as expressed on social media, the items were donated to Lagos State Government from the CACOVID food palliative packages for indigent members of the Lagos State Council of Tradesmen and Artisans, between September and October 2020 and was widely reported in a Twitter post dated 03-10-2020 (4:31pm)

It therefore served as a reminder that COVID-19 is not yet gone and ‘there is absolutely no justification for all these criminal activities in the name of #EndSARS’.

VP Osinbajo

The Bishop of Sokoto Archdiocese, Matthew Hassan Kuka, has reacted to the address by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on the current wave of protests across the country.

Kuka, who spoke on Channels Television’s Politics Today, said Osinbajo’s address was a demonstration of his liberal and democratic disposition to leadership and governance. He added that the VP’s action was borne out of freewill to identify with the people’s plights.

Buhari’s Address

President Muhammadu Buhari has again proved to be a leader who aligns himself with the wishes of the people.

The President today responded to an earlier call by majority of Nigerians to speak to them over the present state of affairs in the country.

Addressing the nation, President Buhari expressed pains over the loss of innocent lives. He assured protesters that government has heard their cries and it was acting accordingly to address all the issues raised.

Meanwhile, the President’s speech has received favourable audience, despite some scepticism that trailed it on social media.