#BBNaija 7: Mobocracy of social media and the crucifixion of PharmSavi
One of the most intriguing phenomena of social media is that an innocent soul can be literally killed, buried and forgotten by the actions of a few netizens, to the delight and amusement of the crowd who would normally join to chorus crucify him! Crucify him!! crucify him!!!
Nothing comes near in demonstrating this mob mentality, to the trending well-rehearsed but false accusation against Saviour Akpan, the Onna-Akwa Ibom State born housemate in Big Brother Naija Level Up show, which opened yesterday.
As most of my followers know, I was not a fan on Big Brother until it became apparent that if I did not join the bandwagon, I may become a fossil in my household. Only those who are married can relate to this in full. So I ‘famzed’ the BBNaija 7 fad, for peace to reign at home. I have been a fan for years now. But that is by the way.
I watched the season 7 premier yesterday. Indeed, I bumped into it halfway, but was able to follow proceedings “with my full chest”, especially when Pharmsavi was introduced and ushered into the house by the host – Ebuka Obi-Uchendu. I was instantly impressed by Pharmsavi who spared no effort to make people know that his real name is Saviour Akpan, a pharmacist, who was brought up in Lagos, schooled in Delta State University – Abraka but indigene of Onna in Akwa Ibom State. I do not recall seeing him make any negative remarks or holding his heritage and Akwa Ibom identity in contempt, as we have been made to read all over social media today.
From the stage to the room, and at the moment all the housemates sat in the lounge to introduce themselves, he told Ebuka and fellow housemates that he is from Onna in Akwa Ibom. Indeed, at a point I was like, does he know that most of the people he was talking to do not know or have never come across the Onna name before?
It is obvious that the moment in the house where the house-girl conversation which has infuriated a lot of Akwa Ibom people ensued, has been completely and grossly misunderstood and misinterpreted. It was in the lounge. The twelve housemates gathered to give their short profiles. Pharmsavi said that he is from Onna and that his full name is Savior Akpan, even though most Nigerians associate Akpan, Ekaette, etc. to people who do menial jobs like houseboys, servants, gatemen, etc., especially in Nigerian movies. He said that when growing up, the stigma by the society against the people of our State put so much pressure on him that he had to be hiding his surname. He said that Nollywood contributed to negatively stereotyping our people by always assigning gateman, cleaner, housemaid, boi-boi, and other such roles to an Akpan or an Ekaette. Housemate Phyna interrupted and said that Nollywood truly stereotypes “you” people. Yes, he could have stopped her on her tracks but he didn’t. Then big brother cut in with his “this is big brother bla bla bla…….” message, effectively punctuating the conversation. It was a moment of spontaneity which does not suggest that Pharmsavi is not comfortable in his roots or was seeking to deny who he is. Indeed, he was the one who injected his roots into the conversation which I an convinced, would happen another time in the show.
How my fellow netizens heard something different and are seeking for Savior’s head to “chop” off is a classic case of selective amnesia, based principally on their biases. I have read reactions that are sublime and scary. One of them said that the people of Onna have never been loyal to Akwa Ibom. He pointed to Governor Udom as a case study.
Others are just playing in the mass choir because that is the trend. Yet some others are simply transferring their frustration with the current governor of our State who hails from Onna, to Pharmsavi and trying to justify the mishearing on the misdeeds of the entire people of an entire LGA.
I can tell that some of those who have passed judgement on PharmSavi did not watch the show. Or did not bother to look for the clip and review. They are carried by the wave and wish to glide along because the herd says so. They are already calling for him to be voted against to teach him a lesson. How sad.
We would be doing our consciences and our State a world of good, if we seek to lay hands on the video clip, watch it over again with an open mind and draw our conclusions. It is unfair to seek the end of the fortunes of our only representative in the house, on false allegations bordering on our misinterpretation of a moment that was indeed, a candid expression of reality by the sharp guy called Pharmsavi.
I and my household would vote for him to stay, even if we may be the only ones. And it would be my first ever vote for anybody in BBNaija 7.
Love conquers hate. proudly Pharmsavi. ProudlyAkwaIbom.
