Outrage As Obidient Supporter Suggests Death Penalty For Defending Tinubu, Sparks Nationwide Backlash
By Oludare Joshua
A controversial social media post has triggered widespread condemnation after a self-identified supporter of the Obidient movement suggested extreme punishment for Nigerians who publicly defend President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s leadership.
According to Eyes Of Lagos, the comment was posted on X (formerly Twitter) by an account identified as Abu Amir, who openly declared his support for the Obidient movement and the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi. The post rapidly went viral, igniting intense debates and sharp divisions among users over President Tinubu’s policies, economic reforms, and the country’s current challenges.
In the post, Abu Amir claimed that many individuals who support President Tinubu do so for personal gain rather than a sincere belief in national progress. He wrote:
“Supporting Tinubu because you stand to personally benefit something is okay, but telling us that you support Tinubu because he’s going to move this country forward should be punishable by death.”
The statement immediately drew strong backlash from Nigerians across political lines, with critics describing it as reckless, dangerous, and unacceptable in a democratic society, regardless of political affiliation or disagreement.
Reactions on social media were sharply divided. While a small number of users attempted to justify the comment as an expression of frustration over economic hardship and governance issues, the overwhelming response condemned the rhetoric. Many warned that such extreme language could promote political intolerance, deepen divisions, and incite violence.
Several commentators emphasized that freedom of expression and political choice are fundamental democratic rights that must be protected, not threatened. Others called on supporters of all political parties to prioritize constructive engagement, issue-based debates, and respectful dialogue rather than resorting to inflammatory or dehumanizing statements.
The incident underscores the growing political polarization in Nigeria, particularly on social media platforms, as public discourse continues to revolve around governance, economic reforms, and the impact of current policies on citizens’ livelihoods.
As of the time of filing this report, Abu Amir has neither issued a clarification nor offered an apology regarding the controversial post.
