Since the arrival into Lagos of president Bola Tinubu for the Christmas and New Year celebrations, hundreds of Nigerians have besieged his house on Bourdillon road, Ikoyi, Lagos State.
A drive by our reporters showed many sitting or standing in an orderly manner, causing little and sometimes, no traffic to motorists.
When asked about their mission at the number 1 citizen’s private home, some said they came to take a share of his Christmas giveaway, a tradition that has held since he began living in the axis.
They added that they belong to different groups and arrived in hired buses from various suburbs of the State.
They explained that they do not receive donations individually but have designated leaders who share whatever comes out of the mansion.
Some said they have camped out in the Open for over a week.
They insisted that the economic hardship and the high cost of food items during this particular yuletide meant they have to wait for all it is worth just to get a morsel.
@unclekingsley: “Lagos Island beggers, area boys, APC boys at Tinubu’s house in search of crumbs for Christmas. Of course, they are Nigerians but it’s best we qualify them based on their relationship with him.”
@faiththanzaki: “Lagosians not Nigerians. Weaponising poverty”
@superlupe: “more funds should be made available to local governments,if that is done these people will have no business going to beg for food or money at the presidents gate.”
@thestageinta: “This is a tradition dating over 15years. All festive periods whether it’s Christian or Muslim. You will find them there”
@drmile247: “Reason they will always ensure poverty stays, they enjoy when the poor worship them”
@anthonyzuriki: “It hasnt even started. He is replicating the Northern Nigerian political model. He has been doing this since 2003. First is to destroy the education system and make them poorly educated thereby producing an army of touts every year. Which has since achieved. Second phase is to strategically impoverish them that they become too poor to have a choice or challenge him. When they’re merely try to stay alive.”
@rosythrone: “Nigeria is gradually becoming Somalia where the street will be crowded with beggers still hoping for the govt.”
@vibewithobi: “They prefer to beg for food than vote for the right leader. See where voting wrongly has landed them. Next election, vote wrongly and continue begging for food!”
@amarashuga: “This man is clearly richer than both dangote and otedola combined,this is unexplainable wealth”