From Fatoyinbo to Ruga… how social media triggered major actions in six days

Nigerians are now rising to demand a just society, or so it appears – especially with three major events that dominated the cyberspace within a week. Over the time, powerful people and the government get away with things the masses take as unpleasant. 

The current trend, as experienced this week, seems revolutionary, but how well and long can this be sustained? 

We take a look at these events.

FATOYINBO STEPPING DOWN 

When, on Friday, Nigerians woke to an interview of Busola Dakolo  accusing Biodun Fatoyinbo of defiling her at age 16, some people might have waved it aside with the notion that the buzz was but for while as it will be overshadowed by subsequent events. After all, things went on as usual in 2013 after Fatoyinbo, senior pastor of the Commonwealth of Zion Assembly (COZA), was accused of sexually abusing his church member.  

Those with such notions were wrong this time. The outrage was widespread and within hours, the protest against Fatoyinbo gained momentum. It went beyond Twitter hashtags as people, both in Lagos and Abuja, marched to his church, demanding that Fatoyinbo steps down. 

Although Fatoyinbo had denied the rape allegation, the protest against him became formidable and on the third day, he announced that he was stepping aside. This was after he had cancelled an annual programme of the church.

RUGA SUSPENSION 

It was not very clear to many Nigerians how the idea for Ruga settlements was conceived and, almost immediately, set for implementation by the federal government. After government’s failure in its bid to establish cattle colonies for herders, President Muhammadu Buhari approved the Ruga initiative in May.  

An explanation given was that Ruga would bring an end to the incessant farmer, herder clashes– which has claimed hundreds of lives.  The Ruga idea is for states to provide land where herders would use as ranch. While a few welcomed it, many expressed reservations. Again, Nigerians took to Twitter, Facebook, WhatsApp and other social media handles to oppose the policy.

Although stakeholders like Dave Umahi, governor of Ebonyi state, Samuel Ortom, governor of Benue; Wole Soyinka, Nobel laureate, spoke against it, the social media campaign against it was massive and in the end the federal government suspended Ruga. 

This decision, Ohaneze Ndigbo, apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, would commend, saying it was the first time Buhari listened to public opinion. 

SENATOR APOLOGISED FOR ASSAULTING WOMAN 

Shortly after a footage surfaced of Elisha Abbo, senator representing Adamawa north, assaulting a woman, hit the cyberspace, the internet caught fire again, with calls for the lawmaker to be arrested and prosecuted.  

Abbo, in the footage, repeatedly hit the sales attendant at a sex toy shop after which he asked the policemen attached to him to arrest her. Following the sustained outrage, Mohammed Adamu, inspector general of police, ordered a “comprehensive” investigation. The senate also set up a committee to probe Abbo. 

As the controversy raged, Abbbo “profoundly apologised to all Nigerians.”

What an amazing week it has been for social media users and Nigerians in general.