— Dec 20, 2014 | 0 Comments
The year 2014 has without any shade of doubt been very eventful and one of the things that stood it out was the number of verbal misadventures from highly placed persons in various spheres of the nation. From the beginning of the year in January when the defence chief boasted about ending insurgency in a matter of weeks to the likening of President Goodluck Jonathan to Jesus Christ by his spokesperson and likening of the president to arrogant King Nebuchadnezzar who was punished by God, by Prof Wole Soyinka, there have been many unexpected gaffes that made the talking points in the course of the year. They include but are not limited to the ones reproduced here.
January 2014
We’ll End Boko Haram In April
Not a few persons were taken aback when the Chief of Defence Staff, Air Marshal Alex Badeh, shortly after his appointment on January 20, 2014, boasted that the Boko Haram menace would be brought to an end in three months, precisely in April 2014. He was reported to have said the military would bring the on-going carnage and mayhem “to an end before April this year in order to prevent a constitutional problem in the polity.” Many Nigerians didn’t take him seriously. His comment was dismissed as one made by a person showing appreciation for his promotion by making empty promises. He was to deny the report days later, saying he didn’t mean it that way. However and whatever he meant, the Boko Haram carnage is still far from over.
February 2014
Boko Haram Is No Big Deal
The General Officer Commanding the 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, Maj. Gen. Shehu Yusuf, in February, reportedly described the insurgency in the north-eastern part of the country as inconsequential. According to reports, Yusuf said, “we are committed to solving the problem in the North-eastern part of the country. The crisis in the North-east is not a big deal. It is just that we have not come together to work out strategies to tackle the problems properly.” Several months down the line, Boko Haram has proved to be a big deal, killing many in its vicious attacks.
May 2014
Stealing Is Not Same As Corruption
During his 7th media chat, President Goodluck Jonathan shocked not a few people when he attempted to make a distinction between corruption and stealing, saying what many people often refer to as corruption is “common stealing.”
“What many Nigerians refer to as corruption is actually common stealing. Stealing is not the same thing as corruption.”
He went on to in an attempt to clear the air on the alleged missing $20 billion from the federal coffers say if such an amount of money is missing, the US would notice as it is their money.
“It is not possible to steal $20 billion and America will not know. It is their money,” the president had said.
MAY 2014
There Is God Ooo
First Lady Patience Jonathan while carrying out and inquisition into the abduction of the Chibok girls broke down in tears. But that was after she made some real hilarious comments which have become part of the Nigerian lingo. This stands out as the most incredible gaffe of the year. Excerpts
Do you come with two teachers?
You were not informed too?
Ehn?
Continue… No problem… No problem God will see us.
There is God in everything we are doing.
Those bloods that are sharing in Borno will answer
What of two teachers… two … eerrrm… wayec
Two teachers that can tell that they conducted that exam…
Do you come with any?
Principal…
No too? Only you waka come?
Okay.
Now the first lady is calling you
Come I want to help you find your baby…
Your missing child. Will you keep quiet?
Chai! Chai! There is God ooo
The bloods that we are sharing, there is God ooo
There is God oo
There is God oo (breaks down in tears)
October 2014
Igbos Are Shameless
Convener of the Coalition of Northern politicians, academics, professionals and businessmen, Dr. Junaid Mohammed in an interview published in a national newspaper in October, said, “Igbo remains one ethnic group in Nigeria that is so devoid of any shame to show their greed, selfishness and contempt for other ethnic groups.” In the same interview, he went on to say, “the Igbo are mercenaries; they are there for sale. If the devil were to come today to say, I am the devil about whom the Bible and the Quran have spoken, I am prepared to give money, the Igbo will take the money and vote for him. Quote me!”
October 2014
I Will Consider Muslim-Muslim Ticket
Considering that Nigeria is a multi-religious country and politics of religion is a serious matter in the country, not a few people found it strange when presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress for the 2015 election, Gen Muhammadu Buhari, in an interview, said he is not opposed to a Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket. Expectedly, the comment was met with wide spread outrage and condemnation.
November 2014
IGP Refuses To Recognise Tambuwal As Speaker
The inspector-general of police (IGP), Suleiman Abba during an investigative hearing convened by the House of Representatives Committee on Police Affairs insisted that Aminu Tambuwal is no longer the Speaker of the House. This followed Tambuwal’s defection from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC). Abba, at the hearing, repeatedly referred to the Speaker as “Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal”, a development that infuriated the lawmakers and other Nigerians.
December 2014
Jonathan Is Like Nebuchadnezzar
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