Nigerians react to The Economist calling Jonathan a “buffoon”

The UK-based Economist weekly newspaper has written a damning critique of Nigeria President Muhammadu Buhari’s economic policy. 

The main thrust of the article is that President Buhari should abandon his policy of trying to shore up the value of the naira, which has been under pressure in recent months

But it’s a line about former President Goodluck Jonathan that has got a lot of people hot under the collar.

It called him “an ineffectual buffoon”.

And some Nigerians have taken offence:

Nasir @Nasir_Umar89: “Ineffectual Buffon”…way too harsh! The economist should apologize to our former president and wailers’ hero IMO.”

“aderemi ade oyejola @aderemiadeoyejo: “The Economist themselves are buffoons calling the ex-president of my country that. In fact they are bunch of fools bcos of that…”

@beegeaglesblog: “Ineffectual buffoon? Utterly disrespectful of “the economist”, a slap steeped in racism & landed on all Nigerian faces”

Sotayo-Aro ‏@kidtirangle: “‘The Economist’ consists of mad journalists.”

But others have wondered what the problem is:

tega onojaife ‏@tegasupreme: “Why are you people offended by what  the  Economist published. You’ve said the same thing many times”

Abdulateef Muhammed ‏@AbduMuhd: “it’s not a slap on my face to call GEJ buffoon. I don’t believe in monkey no fine I’m mama like am to be clear”

Sounding more analytical, Kelechi Deca wrote on his facebook:

“Ineffectual Buffoon? Does such construction even make sense? When people write in anger they come up with some outlandish construction…

What is the opposite of ineffectual Buffoon?

Is it not effectual Buffoon?

What do Buffoons do that we expect them to be effectual in?

In what sense do we expect a Buffoon to be effectual. Is it in Buffoonery, or in something else?

What else do Buffoons do if not excel in Buffoonery?

Is it not like saying that someone is not a very good fool?

How then do we expect a Buffoon to be effectual, effectual in what trade, way and sense, in Buffoonery or in genius?

You cant call someone a Buffoon and still expect much from him to the extent you think he is ineffectual in meeting your expectations of Buffoonery……

If I must chose a Buffoon as leader, would it be an effectual Buffoon or ineffectual Buffoon?”.

For Diaspora Digital Media Updates click on Whatsapp, or Telegram. For eyewitness accounts/ reports/ articles, write to: citizenreports@diasporadigitalmedia.com. Follow us on X (Fomerly Twitter) or Facebook