TheCable

The recent trip of Nasir el-Rufai, governor of Kaduna state, and Kayode Fayemi, his Ekiti state counterpart, to South Africa is causing storm on Twitter.

Both governors attended the “Africa in the World Festival of Ideas”, a programme which held in Stellensbosch, South Africa.

Pictures of the governors with Muhammadu Sanusi, emir of Kano, had generated reactions on social media.

Many Twitter users mistook the event they attended for the World Economic Forum (WEF), which the federal government boycotted over the fresh attacks on Nigerians.

Earlier on Wednesday, Bashir Ahamd, a presidential aide had taunted Ezekwesili for attending WEF despite Nigeria’s decision to pull out in protest.

Aunty @obyezeks you’re properly very educated but unfortunately you failed to understand that those who are being attacked in SA, where you’re at the moment, are also private citizens, we all thought you’d sympathize with them and boycott the @wef to properly protest the attacks. https://t.co/7SBxnWhzMj

— Bashir Ahmad (@BashirAhmaad) September 4, 2019

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Responding on Thursday, social media users who felt the governors attended WEF criticised Ahmad and others who tackled Ezekwesili earlier.

John Ikhiboya, a Twitter user, said the hypocrisy displayed by Ahmad is exceptional.

Why single out Oby, while the likes of Gov. El Rufai and Fayemi in same WEF. Your hypocrisy no get part 2 @BashirAhmaad

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— John Ikhiboya (@sirimoikor) September 5, 2019

Another user, @Ajisafeseyi, said the presence of Fayemi, El-Rufai and Sanusi in South Africa at a time when the federal government boycotted WEF is a reason why the South African government will not take Nigeria seriously.

so we only heard that the FG boycotted the WEF but little did Nigerians know that FG delegations the likes of El rufai,fayemi and the sultan are all in south Africa..Can you see why the south Africa government are not gonna take us serious #XenophobicAttacks #SayNoToXenophobia

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— T£€~D©N™🐦🐦 (@Ajisafeseyi) September 5, 2019

Nigerian Leaders are the main reason why Nigeria is never taken seriously in Africa and the rest of the world.

Why would Fayemi, Elrufai and Sanusi attend the #WEF in South Africa after the Federal government has boycotted the event over the #XenophobiaInSouthAfrica. This is sad pic.twitter.com/KzWprvLp3d

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— Dele Ologun (@Dele_Ologun1) September 5, 2019

Sometimes, you just need to rest on some issues. I mean, I didn’t even know elrufai, Sanusi and Fayemi are all in South Africa. The audacity to call out @obyezeks by @BashirAhmaad? This is just plain stupidity!

— ‘Deji Gbogi (@GbogiOfficial) September 5, 2019

Fayemi, El-Rufai and two other APC governors that attended World Economic Forum in South Africa are insensitive to the plight of their followers. They're not different from Madam Oby.

— Akóredé Khameel 😍 (@_akorebami) September 5, 2019

Make una dey think these things before una talk am.

How do you think Nigerians would feel seeing SLS, El-Rufai, Fayemi winning, dining and smiling in South Africa knowing their kinsmen are under serious attack in the same country.

Make una think am o.

— Bankole Akintunde Adebayo (@AdeBanqie) September 5, 2019

Governor Elrufai was already in South Africa before the #WEF boycott and Travel Advisory.

But Governor Fayemi, Emir Sanusi and whoever traveled to South Africa after the WEF boycott and travel advisory should be ashamed. #XenephobicAttacks

— Peaceful Protester (@timiakegbejo) September 5, 2019

Nasir Elrufai is at the WEF.

Kayode Fayemi, is at the WEF.

Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, is at the WEF.

Amina Jane Mohammed, is at the WEF.

But Bashir Ahmad, Ayourb & their bunch of APC morons

Hypocrites!

— Grace John❤ (@onyiforlife) September 5, 2019

If you attacked Oby for being at the WEF but are silent about El rufai, Sanusi and Fayemi, you are not just a hypocrite but also a snake.

— OnlineDoc (@Dr_Saater) September 5, 2019

There is no excuse for SLS, Elrufai and Fayemi to be in SA at this point in time. Just like Madam Oby their visits are insensitive to the plight of the ordinary Nigerians. Pathetic. #SayNoToXenophobiaAttacks

— S.Sa'ad™ (@sunusisaad) September 5, 2019

Hypocrites everywhere. Attack Oby because she's an easy target. Now you can't attack Fayemi, SLS or El-rufai.

— CA of Lagos (@lordcharles01) September 5, 2019

News:

'Oby Ezekwesili in South Africa for WEF'

Critics:
'Kill her!'

News:

'SLS, El-Rufai, Fayemi in South Africa for summit'

Critics:

'They didn't attend WEF yen yen yen'

I thought we wanted all our leaders to boycott South Africa for now?
🤔🇳🇬

Let's keep the same energy

— OMO IYA ALAMALA (@sama_on_point) September 5, 2019

The pulse of the NATION REJECTED anything South Africa . Do u know the distance between Stellenbosch to Cape Town? Any event in South Africa by any Nigerian should be CANCELLED. Who is paying El Rufai or Fayemi’s bill ? Personal or FAAC . Pls read and pass and no comment

— Woye (@woye1) September 5, 2019

In a statement his media team issued on his behalf, Fayemi said he had arrived South Africa before the federal government took the decision to boycott WEF.