In recent times, the trend of fighting dirty on social media has become a tempting trend among celebrities on the Nigerian entertainment scene who now use numerous social media platforms available to vent their anger at whoever takes a shade at them.
Findings reveal that one of the reasons why Nigerian celebs have been caught up in the tempting allure which has seen them turn social media into a boxing ring is the fact that they can sit and hide behind their computer, tablet or mobile phone to fire back at any out of context quote by a fellow celebrity made in reference to them.
But come to think of it, celebrities are all about controversies, shade throwing, hitting back at their fans who drop rude comments at them and dirty fighting which actually is part of their marketing strategy.
A well worked-out social media squabble can get a forgotten celebrity back in the headlines and fans all of a sudden remember they exist despite not releasing a new hit song or landing a major acting role for years.
In the last six months, the Nigerian social media space has had it own fair share of such melodrama by celebrities who wash their dirty linen in public allowing fans and news hounds to feast on the aftermath of their most times pre-planned social media outbursts.
Below are five social media feuds that made headlines and probably got some of the main actors involved regretting taking the option in the first place:
1) EEDRIS ABDUL KAREEM AND BURNA BOY
Eedris Abdulkareem stirred a reaction from the City Boy crooner Burna Boy after he claimed Davido, not Burna Boy, deserved the ‘Odogwu’ status. The heated exchange between Eedris Abdulkareem and Burna Boy saw some popular celebrities taking sides with the latter.
The duo’s exchange however brought up different issues within the music industry, which some fans were unaware of.
Singer Paul Okoye, aka Rudeboy of Psquare, lashed out at Eedris for always having an issue with his colleagues in the music industry. While singer Jaywon weighed in as he claimed the duo had the same personality.
2) PHYNA
Big Brother Naija star, Phyna, is also another celebrity that Nigerians love to hate. She always has something to say and often finds herself at the center of media attention for it. Even when she shares her personal experiences, she finds herself on the wrong side of social media and is constantly attacked. And when she gives her point of view on sensitive subjects, like her opinion on abortions, she instantly finds herself in the hot seat.Remember when Davido said he didn’t know her? Nigerians certainly found this hard to believe and criticized her.
3) YUL EDOCHIE
This once loved actor has become one of the most hated Nigerian celebrities recently. Things took a turn for him when rumors of infidelity circulated online, then intensified when he decided to marry a second wife after getting her pregnant.
His wife and mother of his four children did not agree, then sadly they lost one of their children, Kambili.
After Kambili’s death, even though he was grieving, Edochie was criticized and it got worse when his first wife, May, sent him divorce papers.
Then, to make matters worse, Edochie suddenly started campaigning for Bola Tinubu as his preferred candidate.
Most recently Yul and his new wife are said to be pastor and pastor Mrs of an online based church which didn’t sit well with many Nigerians.
4) TIWA SAVAGE AND DAVIDO
Few months back the cordial relationship between Tiwa Savage and Davido dramatically spiraled into a feud, culminating in police investigation following accusations of bullying and threats to Tiwa’s life.
The songstress filed a petition against Davido, alleging threats to her life as she revealed how an Instagram post featuring Davido’s first baby mama, Sophia Momodu, led the singer hurling insults and threatening her, and she retaliated by cutting off ties with him.
Both artists have since un-followed each other on Instagram. The feud however escalated when Tee Billz (Tunji Balogun), Tiwa’s ex-husband, took to social media to shed light on the situation when he called out Davido and warned him not to interfere with Tiwa, noting how he, Tiwa, and their son, Jamil have shown Davido’s daughter, Imade, love, yet the singer had disrespected them.
Threatening the singer, Tee Billz said, “his family would be the last one Davido would ever disrespect in Nigeria as he noted how the singer has been getting away with his crimes unforgivable. He vowed to spill tea about the ongoing rift after the Grammys.” In another post, he shared one of his chats with Davido, where he accused him of being a deadbeat father and vindicated Sophia Momodu.
5) PORTABLE AND BOBRISKY
Portable’s reaction to the announcement of Bobrisky as the Best-Dressed Female at a movie premiere has resulted to fight between the duo.
Recall that the Lagos socialite and so many other celebrities stormed the ‘Beast of Two Worlds’ movie premiere which was held during the weekend.
However, during the event, many netizens were shocked when they heard Bobrisky was announced as the Best-Dressed female at the award which was attended by many female celebrities.
Reacting to the development, Portable took to his social media page to voice out his opinion react while wondering whether Bobrisky was fit to be called a woman.
According to him, Bobrisky is just a man that has undergone butt enlargement and bosom implant, and the award should have gone to other ladies that were there.
However, Portable’s reaction didn’t sit well with Bobrisky who responded swiftly.
In response to Portable’s criticism of winning a Best Dressed Award in a female category, Bobrisky slammed Portable, stating that Portable should learn to mind his own business.
He went on to warn that God would deal with Portable for his remarks and threatened to take action against him, insinuating an end to Portable’s career.
Bobrisky concluded by suggesting that Portable, of all people, should refrain from speaking out, labeling him ‘as a dirty boy’
The duo have continued to drag each other while threatening arrest.