Nigerians have been reacting to perceived insult meted on Nigeria's president-elect Muhammadu Buhari at 10 Downing Street by the British government on Saturday. Gen. Buhari was left standing for several minutes outside the gates of Downing Street before David Cameron eventually came out to meet and lead him inside the building.
Cameron added insult to injury by ignoring AND turning his back on the president elect and going back into building while Buhari was left standing forlornly while waiting for a cab to take him back to his hotel.
According to an informed observer, "this is contrary to official protocol".
He added, "Do you turn your back on your honoured guest before he leaves? or keep him waiting?"
He also asked: "Was Buhari shocked for not being given presidential attention as president elect of federal republic of Nigeria?"
Sources in the United Kingdom stated the protocol is that "once we are informed that a VIP is coming and and you privileged to be selected to attend the time he is arriving, you MUST be at the door at least 5 minutes before he arrives...meanwhile others are monitoring his movements on the CCTV and informing you on hand radio...from the time he stepped out of his car till he arrives at the door. At the second he stepped up at the door, you open the door and your PM or whoever is responsible steps out to greet and welcome him in - It's magical. As he leaves, the PM or another responsible person escorts him to his car and stands there until the VIP drives off, or is driven off.
He added that "Buhari's treatment at Downing Sreet is either it's a hastily arranged visit or a disgrace!"
"Mallams are back", lamented a commentator on the pages of elombah.com: "with this picture of Buhari hanging outside No 10 un-escorted looks like another clueless is here."
Another commentator, Ralph E wrote: "What I do not quite understand is how a Nation and it's people will continue to shit on the bed they sleep on, shit in the plate they eat from, unwilling to hold themselves responsible but continue to beg other people to come and clean their mess for them. Where is the rational in such foolish behavior?"
"What did he come to do in UK 6 days to inauguration May 29? Did't his media aide say Gen. Muhammadu Buhari went to UK to rest? Nigerians are yet to be told what suddenly prompted such an unscheduled visit! Questions, questions, questions....COLO-MENTALITY (where is Fela when you needed him)"
Ijeoma Ogbonna dismissed the idea that "Buhari rejected the rolls Royce offered to him,but preferred to wait for a taxi", but argued Emmanuel Nnabuife, "Of course, when he rejected the car, he also denied himself its protocol staff, privileges and accompaniments from the Nigerian High Commissioner. But who was the photographer? An aid or a diplomat?"
Describing Buhari's action of coming to London at this time as "colo-mentality", Ibezim Chidozie wrote: "Sit down at home and think of a way to make your constituency independent. You campaigned in the UK and a week to inauguration you are in the UK. What does it speak of you? Dependency. Change will cone to those who understand what change is coming."
He also said: "The same guys that amalgamated the southern and northern protectorates are the guys you sit down with 100 years later. As what now? Have a little shame for once."
Another commentator wrote: "This kind of behavior is the default modus operandi of the new Nigerian leadership; even fixing our roads would be consulted with SLAVE MASTERS before contracts would be awarded."
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