President Robert Mugabe. Public domain photo belonging to U.S. Air Force.
Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe has angered Nigeria [1] with comments made on March 15, 2014 during his 90th birthday luncheon that Nigeria and its citizens are corrupt.
Mugabe asked [2], “Are we now like Nigeria where you have to reach into your pocket to get anything done? You see, we used to go to Nigeria and every time we went there we had to carry extra cash in our pockets to corruptly pay for everything. You get into a plane in Nigeria and you sit there and the crew keeps dilly dulling without taking off as they wait for you to pay them to fly the plane.”
The Nigerian government summoned [3] Zimbabwe's envoy last week over Mugabe's remarks. However, the Coalition Against Corrupt Leaders (CACOL) in Nigeria has asked [4]the federal government to deal with the message and not the messenger.
The 2013 Transparency International Corruption Index shows [5] the level of perceived corruption to be higher in Zimbabwe than in Nigeria.
Mugabe's comments have received mixed reactions on Twitter. Some netizens argued that what he said is the truth:
@halelule [6] He told the truth, the whole truth, nothing but … :) Nigeria being offended should be the news here not Mugabe :P
— Liyana B Tefferi (@LiyanaTefferi) April 14, 2014 [7]
#Mugabe [8] allegedly accused Zimbabweans of becoming like Nigeria when it came to corruption.Kettle calling pot black http://t.co/WEMBk7wSuz [9]
— Shet Gunz (@Shetgunz) April 14, 2014 [10]
Robert Mugabe is really right on his words about nigeria.
— Jagaban (@Kingbiodun_) April 13, 2014 [11]
What Mugabe said about Nigeria is true but he said it to the wrong people.
— Macharia Mucheru (@MashRomeo) April 12, 2014 [12]
For God's sake, why should Robert Mugabe fabricate a tissue of lies against Nigeria. Is it true that Nigerians are corrupt?
— IaM►DeMal (@Dmalan_D) April 12, 2014 [13]
Mugabe says “all Nigerians are corrupt” while world bank reveals that “Nigeria's the most poorest country in Africa” #poverty [14] = corruption
— OurLeadersHaveSoldUs (@Worldworth_Saro) April 14, 2014 [15]
@Nigeria [16]…corruption is Nigeria's biggest problem. Our leaders are extremely corrupt. Not blaming Mugabe for his jab on our country
— Reginald Ohiri (@ReginaldOhiri) April 13, 2014 [17]
Nigeria summons Zimbabwean envoy over Mugabe’s comments. I am Nigerian but I do not see any wrong in calling a spade a spade.
— Almustapha Zubairu. (@mustybnzubair) April 11, 2014 [18]
looooool if mugabe can open his mouth to call nigeria corrupt …then its obvious we have a problem…very huge problem!
— Zainab.K (@MayowaKay) April 14, 2014 [19]
@figure007 felt that although Mugabe said the truth, he has no moral justification:
Just Read what Robert Mugabe said about nigeria,though he said d truth,but he has no Moral Justification 2 say it as a sitting president
— Abiodun Olumide (@figure007) April 12, 2014 [20]
Others disagreed with his assessment of corruption in Nigeria:
high point of dramtic irony. mugabe tags nigeria as corrupt.lol. the devil we know is too young to deal with a 90 year old.
— Qrriiss (@Qrriiss) April 13, 2014 [21]
What's that about taking the plank out of your own eye? Robert Mugabe bribery comment offends Nigeria http://t.co/MBzS02jOK8 [22]
— Jonathan Lang (@_Jonathan_Lang) April 13, 2014 [23]
#Mugabe [8] has the audacity to infer Nigeria Govt is #corrupt [24]. Nigeria Govt has the temerity to feel insulted. http://t.co/9WBazDl7LZ [25]
— Dan Smith (@dpksmith) April 13, 2014 [26]
Pot calling the kettle black. Both corrupt countries. Mugabe comment offends Nigeria http://t.co/tBli25C6G8 [27]
— Michael Ajayi (@michaelaajayi) April 12, 2014 [28]