Nigerian Rapper, Michael Ugochukwu Stephens, popularly known as Ruggedman has waded into the heated controversy on the planned protest by music legend, Tuface.
He has come out to slam fellow artiste, Blackface for sharing and approving a post that criticized 2face for planning to lead a protest against the Buhari-led government.
Blackface had earlier today shared a post on his Instagram page @blackfacenaija castigating 2face and describing him as an illiterate. The post was originally written by Dr Bunmi Awoyemi Divinewealth.
The post reads: “LETS EDUCATE THE ILLITERATE AS HE LEADS THE PROTEST. I read Tuface Idibia’s verbal tirade in Vanguard in which he said he will be leading a protest against Buhari on the 5th of February for among other things not paying salaries of civil servants.I think he needs to be educated about the efforts of the Buhari administration: So far Buhari has released three bailout funds to the 36 states in Nigeria totalling over N1.5 trillion in the last 18 months.
“Apart from this another trillion was released as Paris Club refund money to the 36 states. Buhari emphasized the need for the states to prioritize the payment of salaries of workers and pensions of pensioners as these states receive the money.
“Unfortunately, instead of some states to use the funds to pay off civil servants and pensioners salary and pension arrears they chose to loot the funds. A governor of one of the South South states siphoned N3b of the funds using his mistress as a front and now the mistress has run away with the funds. Tuface Idibia you can now see why Nigerians are suspicious of the motive and source of the funds for the protest you want to embark on.
“Why didn’t you lead a protest against these governors who mismanaged the Buhari bail out funds and the Paris Club refund money? Why did you not protest against GEJ’s looting of N51 trillion naira and the Godswill Akpabio alleged looting of over N1 trillion naira from the Akwa Ibom state treasury for which he is being prosecuted by the EFCC? Why didn’t you protest Akpabio’s alleged corrupting of a Supreme Court justice who is currently being tried for corrupt practices on the bench? Is it because you are a corruption apologist? Is it because you are the agent of corruption fighting back? Is it because you are part of desperate plot to poison the hearts and minds against a fantastically incorruptible President who fights the corrupt no matter whose ox is gored?
“We your fans want to assure you that if you go ahead with this protest we will reevaluate our support for you and it may be downhill for you afterwards. Rethink your actions and reflect deeply. Dr. Bunmi Awoyemi Divinewealth opposing for the protest saying the government is working.”
Ruggedman in response to the post expressed his disappointment in Blackface, stating it was obvious that the singer still has unresolved issues with 2face.
On his instagram page @Ruggedybaba, he wrote: “@blackfacenaija you be my guy and @official2baba na my guy but I will tell you that this your move right here is very disappointing.
“You sang hardlife and all when things were even a bit bearable, but now that things are really messed up you have kept quiet. But here you are mouthing off over a 2Face move? Guy you fall my hand.
“Talking about educating people…..1.It is not a protest being led by 2face. He said he saw the post and thought to lend his voice to it. Something a few other artists and people have done.
“2.So you knew about all the governors embezzling funds and yet you said nothing. But you are quick to shout now because 2face name has come out on something. But you make it too obvious you have something against 2face and you should have let all this go by now.
“NIGERIANS are suffering and you are just monitoring 2face. Atleast he has chosen to lend his voice to something all Nigerians believe is needed. What have you done? You have details that should be out there for all to see but you only decided to speak cos 2face is involved. Guy change your ways.
“I know you as a crusader and not a 2face hater. The people need voices that can be heard, I know you are one of them.Do the right thing brother.
“Life in Nigeria now is harder than it ever was and Buharis people should let Nigerians know what they are doing right and also let Nigerians know who and who is doing wrong.
“You can’t say you are doing great things when the people can’t feel it. You can’t say you are fighting corruption yet not one corrupt official has been jailed in 2 years.”
Relatively, actress cum politician, Funke Adesiyan has equally kicked against the planned protest, asking youths to Occupy public spaces instead.
The protest will hold on Feb. 5
