ABUJA- Popular Nigerian actor and activist Mr Macaroni has lambasted Bashir Ahmad, a former aide to ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, for criticising TikToker Rahama Saidu after her shop was demolished and later caught fire in Kano.
The controversy began after officials of the Kano Urban Planning and Development Authority (KNUPDA) pulled down a portion of Saidu’s shop, claiming it was illegally built on a public walkway. Saidu, upset by the development, took to Instagram to blame Governor Abba Yusuf for the demolition.
Hours later, the already-demolished shop was discovered burning. While the cause of the fire remains unclear, it fuelled online outrage.
Reacting to the incident, Ahmad faulted Saidu for openly attacking the governor, describing her action as “completely wrong.” Nevertheless, he condemned the burning of her property, labelling it “ridiculous and condemnable,” and called on the Kano State Government to ensure justice is served.
“I honestly didn’t want to say anything about this Rahama Saidu’s issue. What she did was completely wrong, she shouldn’t have called out the Governor’s name in that manner,” Ahmad posted on X. “However, the treatment she received afterward, especially the burning of her shop, is absolutely ridiculous and condemnable. Nothing can justify such an act.”
Mr Macaroni, however, was not having it. In a strongly worded response posted on Friday, the actor condemned Ahmad’s statement, insisting that citizens have every right to criticise public office holders.
“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,” he wrote.
“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!”
He continued, “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!”
The heated exchange has further fuelled debate around the rights of citizens to express dissent and the appropriate response from authorities.
