Africa News of Friday, 27 March 2020
Source: bbc.com
An attempt by aides to Nigeria’s president to reassure Nigerians that Muhammadu Buhari is well and still at work has backfired.
Earlier this week the presidency said Mr Buhari had tested negative for coronavirus. The 77-year-old, who has suffered health problems in the past, was tested after it was revealed that his chief of staff had contracted Covid-19.
To scotch further rumours, his spokesperson Bashir Ahmed then tweeted a photo, saying: "President Buhari still at work!”
But this just added fuel to the flames spawning the hashtags #whereisbuhari and #buharichallenge - now trending in Nigeria.
The gag sees Twitter users pairing photos of past events with newly dreamt up captions, joking that it's actually happening right now in the present.
President @MBuhari; still at work! pic.twitter.com/ZWepHQci4q
— Bashir Ahmad (@BashirAhmaad) March 26, 2020
Shehu Shagari welcoming the Queen at the Lagos airport earlier today despite the statewide lockdown. #BuhariChallenge pic.twitter.com/Gx50VrEEHR
— Adunni Achebe (@_Adadioramma) March 27, 2020
Tupac Amaru Shakur this morning listening to Naira Marley song #BuhariChallenge pic.twitter.com/hV4EeE9DQt
— Bishop Oluwagbenga Okhuoya (@bishopokhuoya) March 27, 2020