‘And people are shot at when they ask for Biafra’ — reaction to Buhari’s praise of Turkey’s referendum

Some Nigerians have reacted to President Muhammadu Buhari’s congratulation of the government of Turkey on the successful conclusion of the country’s referendum.

On Monday, Turkey concluded a referendum, which was held to determine whether its president should have sweeping or executive powers.

The country operates a parliamentary democracy in which presidents are often nominal heads.

In a statement posted on Facebook by Femi Adesina, presidential spokesman, on Tuesday, Buhari congratulated Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Turkish president, “for the foresight and maturity of leading his people to the polls to decide on the future of leadership for the country that will further deepen peace and stability”.

“The president believes the referendum showcases the democratic credentials of the country and reflects a willingness of the Turkish people to live together and jointly pursue a better future,” the statement read.

However, not quite 20 minutes after Adesina posted it on Facebook, people started reacting to Buhari’s commendation.

Some criticised the president for congratulating Turkey while refusing to accede to the demands of pro-Biafra campaigners for a referendum.

Members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) have been calling for a referendum for the south-east to determine its continued existence in Nigeria.

Reacting to the president’s statement, Ibrahim Sarafa, a Facebook user, wrote: “And here people are brazenly (shoot-at), hounded into prison whenever they ask for referendum.”

Afolabi Gambari, also a Facebook user, wrote: “If only Nigeria, the giant of Africa can be like this… unfortunately it looks more like dream, if not a mirage….”

“It’s high time Nigeria did the same,” Terseer Gundu, another Facebook user,  wrote.