The Nigeria international has more than 100 followers on X, where he often shares comic and funny posts
Former Digital Communications Assistant to ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, Bashir Ahmad, has lodged a complaint with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) against Super Eagles and Bayer Leverkusen striker Victor Boniface following a social media post made by the latter, Soccernet.ng reports.
Boniface has been one of Nigeria's most celebrated stars in Europe this term for his exploits in the German Bundesliga and Europa League for Bayer Leverkusen.
Ahead of Bayer Leverkusen's Europa League clash with Qarabag on Thursday, Boniface was awarded the Golden Boot as the joint top-scorer in last season's performance competition.
After the encounter, the former Union Saint-Gilloise striker posted a video of the Golden Boot on X (formerly Twitter).
In the now-deleted video post, Boniface captioned the Golden Boot as “Aboki may think that it's an iron.”
Expressing his discontent, Ahmad highlighted the potential disunity stemming from using the term ‘Aboki' by Boniface. ‘Aboki' is the word for ‘friend' in the Hausa language.
In his address to the NFF also on X, Ahmad emphasised the significance of unity within the diverse and culturally rich nation of Nigeria.
“I write to the Nigeria Football Federation to express my deep concern and disappointment regarding recent comments made by Boniface a prominent player of our national team, the Super Eagles,” the former aide wrote on his X.
“His comment has the potential to promote disunity, which is contrary to the ideals that our nation holds dear. Nigeria, as a diverse and culturally rich country, has always celebrated unity in diversity.
“Our national sports teams, including the Super Eagles, have been a source of pride and unity for all Nigerians. These teams serve as a unifying force, transcending ethnic, religious, and regional differences. They bring us together and allow us to celebrate our shared love for the beautiful game.
“However, it is disheartening to witness a player of the Super Eagles making statements that appear to sow division or discord. We, as lovers of Nigerian unity, believe that unity and cohesion are essential for the success of our national teams.
“Therefore, it is crucial that we condemn any actions or remarks that may undermine this unity.
“I kindly request that the Nigeria Football Federation takes this matter seriously and addresses it appropriately.
“I look forward to seeing positive steps taken to address it.
“Bashir Ahmad.”
https://twitter.com/boniface_jrn/status/1711705339190554728
However, Special Assistant to NFF President Abubakar Barde has reacted to Ahmad's post.
Barde pointed out that Boniface, who had no intention to cause disunity in the country, had deleted the post.
“It’s been taken down and he didn’t really mean harm, though. Boniface believes in one Nigeria and he is an agent of unity,” – Barde replied Ahmad.
It’s been taken down and he didn’t really mean harm though. Boniface believes in one Nigeria and he is an agent of unity .
— Rimamtanung (@bubakarBarde) October 27, 2023
Meanwhile, Boniface has been in good form for Leverkusen, netting ten goals and providing four assists in 12 appearances across all competitions this season.
The 22-year-old forward has been named the Bundesliga Rookie of the Month twice and won the Player of the Month award in August.
He made an impactful Super Eagles debut with an assist in their 6-0 triumph over São Tomé and Principe during the September 2023 AFCON qualifiers.
Oga you be mumu, thief like you, you did not see what to bring to Nigerian notice but this rubbish you wrote, if not for tribalism who would have made a boko haram sponsor a minister…it’s just a pity….
And you you be Wawa, people like you are the problems of Nigeria. Shashasha!!!
in my view this issue have been resolved and i am sure every one have leant a lesson from this single act of media right
Sir, no disunity here this upcoming stars is just catching cruise, Incase u dnt know, that is the new memes trending so this guy doesn’t want to use ”poor man picking” so that we poor can breath,that is y he use aboki since the golden boot looks like iron and aboki were good in buying iron in cheap scrap price,pls let peace rain about this it’s just the new trending memes.one love.Biko bony show love ooo…. more awards.
Must people can’t even comprehend the meaning of what the boy did because they are birds of the same feather. Boniface meaning is glaringly clear, hence the board must take a stance. His kinds have no reason to belong to a national team anywhere in the world. If the home federation refuse to act, FIFA must look into it.
wow aren’t one really retarded fellow
this is the same you that’ll be posting your disgusting face on social media doing lastest trend and now you’re complaining because someone used aboki
oga go and rest or better still visit a psychiatric hospital
it’s also in fifa rules that no country should interfer in the nations footballing matters or are actually a retarded amnesiac
Bashir Ahmad should keep quiet and allow peace to reign
K
and moreover ; aboki means friend ; so what’s wrong in using your language to speak.
are you against him for using your language to write. ♀️
I am asking if anything is wrong with the Abolition. Is this what you should bring our notice at this time. You were in the government for compete good eight years where we are now suffering what you people deposited. You did not see all those things and this is what you have sent, wasted my data and time. Please don’t bring this such again
Oga Ahmed there’s nothing wrong in what he said aboki means friend in hausa right? So what’s the disunity here, after you politicians have caused financial disunity among Nigerians you are coming here to point fingers at a younger star catching cruise with trend .. all this Rich kid that thinks everything is an insult …..
How many times has Omokiri called the Igbo in unprintable manners. The Igbo never complained. My bloated man go and rest
when it comes to oil in the niger delta it is one Nigeria but when it comes to leadership or appointment it is Aboki first and everywhere. na lieee Aboki no dey see gold with eye. Aboki always buy stolen gold
Hmmm…
you see how foolish some people from north Nigeria are so stupid.how can aboki course disunity when you guys are the real problem of that country.
what isthe meaning of aboki self