Jonathan Makes U-Turn, Removes Billboard

President Goodluck Jonathan on Wednesday ordered the immediate removal of the #BringBackJonathan signs being used by his supporters for his second term bid.

Like many Nigerians, the Washington Post in its editorial, noted that the #BringBackJonathan sign was parodying the #BrinBackOurGirls – the social media campaign used to nudge the world to the abduction of over 200 schoolgirls in Chibok, Borno State, by the Boko Haram terrorist group in April.

According to the editorial, while #BringBackOurGirls was just a brief cause celebre in the West — a passing moment to get morally exercised and then move on; it had a deeper meaning in Nigeria.

It further reads, “It echoed the larger frustrations of a society that has little faith in its political leadership. It is fed up with endemic corruption and wants genuine reform and better governance.

“Boko Haram is a fanatical, murderous outfit, but its insurgency gained sway in a region that has been historically marginalised and neglected by Nigeria’s central government.”

The post described Jonathan as seemingly indifferent towards the missing girls, saying his alleged indifference had hardly helped. The editorial added that in the early stages of the protests, the First Lady had reportedly had a number of #BringBackOurGirls activists detained.

“In this context, the new campaign slogan is particularly galling. Jonathan has not brought back the girls, yet his campaign expects Nigeria to bring him back to power. One wonders if it will spawn more rich satire among Nigerians on social media. After all, there’s plenty of precedent,” it said.