Everyone meet Eunice Atuejide, Founder of the National Interest Party, Lawyer and Nigerian Presidential Aspirant. Eunice is learned (in all forms of the word) and an all-round intelligent person.
Formal Declaration by Eunice Atuejide to run for the Office of President! https://t.co/qomEAlzIHn via @YouTube
— Eunice Atuejide (@eunice_atuejide) July 23, 2018
Her credentials reek of incredible brilliance, and openness to various world views. I mean she’s visited seventy-six countries!
I understand that my marital status and multiple trips to the labour room is much more important to many of us than my educational and professional qualifications.
Well my dearest people, here is my improved profile…😉#ANigeria4All pic.twitter.com/jefuXfOpR6
— Eunice Atuejide (@eunice_atuejide) July 15, 2018
Alas, while we were admiring her spunk and imagining her in Aso Rock, she shattered all our hopes with a tweet that shows she has no idea of a fundamental concept; FEMINISM! This is a terrible time globally to knock on feminism. Women all over the world are uniting with one voice, beneath its umbrella to speak out on major issues that affect them. For the most part, feminism is a major facet of life these days.
Again, I'm not a feminist!
I actually hate it when people call me feminist because that word means too many things, many of which I DON'T LIKE!
EVERYONE should have a fair chance.
Be yourself and be treated right being yourself
So guys, lets caption this picture!#ANigeria4All pic.twitter.com/JPJkebOU3W— Eunice Atuejide (@eunice_atuejide) August 1, 2018
I am a feminist. I’ve been female for a long time now. I’d be stupid not to be on my own side.
-Maya Angelou
Despite major reactions to her stance on feminism, per her initial post, Eunice Atuejide further re-iterated her position. This has caused tons of people to see this as willful disregard for other’s sentiments.
I'M NOT A FEMINIST!
Na by force?
And who is a feminist?
My friend who won't cook for her husband & kids cos of equality?
The one who always insults men bcos she can? Ladies who won't let men hold doors for them cos it diminishes their value? What does feminism mean?#ANigeria4All— Eunice Atuejide (@eunice_atuejide) August 1, 2018
As expected, there have been varied reactions to her infamous tweet. The tweet has caused Eunice to trend on social media. While this Trumpesque tactic has gained her massive media attention, it has definitely hurt her chances in the long run.
It is rather sad that it is a woman of your learning and exposure that reduces the subject of feminism to culinary affairs. There is more to feminism than who gets to cook.
— Olayinka Faderera Olayiwola (@OlayinkaFO1) August 1, 2018
This is own goal.
😂😂😂😂😂
Presidential aspirant that can't read a book or open Google.
— शिव (@cisi_eze) August 1, 2018
To which Eunice quickly replied;
I will buy you a cow if you have read half as many books as I have, and a goat if the time you have spent researching online is up to 100th of mine….🤗
— Eunice Atuejide (@eunice_atuejide) August 1, 2018
As expected, some people actually believe that Eunice’s point was valid.
You said your mind Eunice. Don't mind the people attacking you, it's the too much maggi that they ingest. Though your emphasis were on the smoke screen feminism(which most vocal feminists practice) than the real gender equality.
— Liquid (@Mefoh_) August 1, 2018
But for the most part, it is clear to see that majority of people believe she was out of line.
If you're experiencing severe difficulties in understanding what a simple term like feminism is, then I highly doubt your qualification to vie for such a serious post as the presidency.
We need less dumb people in Nigerian politics. Please.
— Ada Nwoke (@okemzuruoke) August 1, 2018
Even if you are genuinely ignorant of the concept, ability to empathise is an important leadership trait. How do you intend on uniting a nation of multi-ethnic and culturally diverse individuals if you lack it?
— Frank (@Givenupcaring_) August 1, 2018
Did nothing to her and everything for her. Sad.
— Tuva Wʊlf (@ShadowsOfWolf_) August 1, 2018
Newsflash: We won't vote you simply because you are a woman. And the patriarchal folks you're trying to pander to won't vote you either. So go and learn how to conduct yourself through your words. It's all part of being any kind of leader.
— Lois Truly (@loistruly) August 1, 2018
I Mean how is this hard to comprehend for a person with probably more degrees than I have? It's absolutely mental and I can't just wrap my head around this
— Bamiyo (@fribone) August 1, 2018
Wow! Quite shameful. You don't know what feminism is all about and you want to rule what? A country of over 100M. Madam, with your kind of skewed mentality, you are not fit for a class prefect.
— Nwamaka (@nwamakaBank) August 1, 2018
Pls educate yourself on the tenets of Feminism. The fact that you even have a platform as a woman to campaign for the post of presidency is an achievement of the movement which you have attributed to “not cooking” and “man bashing”.
— ETC i shake tables without fear! (@ladyoutshine) August 1, 2018
Currently, Eunice has tried to make her position clearer by stating that feminism as a concept is a cloudy ideal, and means different things to different people.
The backlash is about me making it clear that I am not a feminist.
Hey, I don't know what that word means to you, but different people apply different meanings to it, and many do unimaginable things as feminists.
Leave me out of it biko.#IAmNotFeminist
I stand for #ANigeria4All— Eunice Atuejide (@eunice_atuejide) August 1, 2018
In case you were also wondering, a feminist is a person who believes in the social. political, and economic equality of the sexes. This arrogant lack of investment in feminism is even more appalling as Nigeria is the home country of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, the revered author and global feminism icon.
However, Eunice has clearly moved on, as she is still wondering why people consider her lack of feminism a major issue.
This is me sitting, wondering why we're reacting like this because I'm not a feminist. Must I be?
My people, I am my own person!
I am EXTREMELY independent!
I am happy to be me, yet I know my place in the order of life.
Ogini bu zi ihe nka?#IamNotFeminist!#ANigeria4All@NIP4All pic.twitter.com/bhgRAJZyj5— Eunice Atuejide (@eunice_atuejide) August 1, 2018
Personally, the beautiful Uwani Aliyu has totally captured my exact sentiments;
I love Eunice for letting us know one more person not to vote for 💖 a true hero of our time!
— Youtube: Uwani Aliyu (@TheUwaniAliyu) August 1, 2018
What’s your reaction to this? Let us know in the comments.
Ndewoo!