Backlash as Buhari gifts musician dollars during live performance

A viral video of former President Muhammadu Buhari gifting dollars to popular Hausa musician, Dan Soja Autan, during a live performance in Katsina has generated outrage on social media.

In the video, Buhari is seen enjoying the musician’s performance before pulling out dollar bills and handing them over as a gesture of appreciation.

Watch the video below;

https://x.com/thecableng/status/1883226044771287503?t=aSt7rGxb8fJL-uIG_tGVxQ&s=19

However, this act has drawn social media criticism, with many Nigerians questioning why the former president chose to spend foreign currency in Nigeria instead of naira.

Critics have labeled the act as disrespectful to Nigeria’s currency, while others speculated that the dollars could be leftover from Buhari’s recent trip to Paris.

While some supporters commended him for acknowledging local talent, the backlash has overshadowed Buhari good gesture to the musician, with many emphasizing the need for public figures to uphold the value of the naira in both symbolic and practical terms.

Read some netizens’ reactions as Buhari gifts dollar to popular Hausa musician;

@rab_rashid: That’s generous and commendable. Baba returned from Paris just yesterday, that dollars might be a left over from his travel expenses. He might not have Naira with him before gracing the event. However, that doesn’t justify that he should spend in dollars while at home.

@udoh_D: Lol, a former president doesn’t have confidence in the naira. How can we strengthen the naira when even our leaders give tips in dollars?

@tshola_40: This first time I will see him spraying money
Baba Buhari enjoy ur old age
Nigerian really miss you

@obnetobs: Is it no more a criminal offense to spend foreign currency in Nigeria? Or it will only become an offense when an ordinary Nigerian does it?

@felix: his not even proud of his own currency

@recreate: He destroyed the naira and today he’s spending USD

@realtobi: They’ve all converted the stolen naira to dollars and moving around with dollars in babariga.. Buhadolla