Do citizens no longer have the right to express themselves? - Mr Macaroni Slams Bashir Ahmad Over Rahama Saidu Incident

Nigerian activist and actor Mr Macaroni has strongly criticised former presidential media aide Bashir Ahmad over his recent comments on the destruction of social media personality Rahama Saidu’s properties in Kano.

Ahmad's remarks on the incident, in which he both condemned the attack and blamed Saidu for her public criticism of the governor, drew reactions from social media users, including Mr Macaroni, who questioned Ahmad's stance on citizens' rights to free expression.

Ahmad had initially reacted to the viral news, acknowledging that while Saidu's decision to call out the governor was wrong, the destruction of her properties was an unjustifiable act.

“What she did was completely wrong, she shouldn’t have called out the Governor’s name in that manner,” Ahmad wrote.

However, the treatment she received afterwards, especially the burning of her shop, is absolutely ridiculous and condemnable. Nothing can justify such an act. I sincerely hope the Kano Government will intervene, ensure justice is served, and the perpetrators are held accountable.

While Ahmad's statement condemned the destruction, his comments about Saidu's actions appeared to shift some of the blame onto her for criticising a public official. This aspect of the statement did not sit well with Mr Macaroni, who took to social media to express his frustration.

On X, Mr Macaroni fumed, "This is a former Presidential Media aide who has OON attached to his name telling the world that it is wrong for a citizen to criticize the Governor who is a public servant. There is no justification for the destruction of Rahama Saidu’s properties!!! And the first part of Bashir’s message blames the victim instead of outrightly condemning the attack!"

So a citizen expressing her frustrations is justification for the destruction of her properties? Do the people no longer have the right to express themselves? You love to defend oppression when it affects others but turn around to condemn it when it affects you… Despicable!