Why Basketmouth Should Not Be Castigated For Holding A Show Same Day As Nigeria's Presidential Election Day

Popular comedian, Bright Okpocha, aka Basketmouth, has come under heavy criticism for scheduling a show that coincides with the day Nigerians will be going to the poll for presidential and senatorial elections.

The actor usually holds his international tour every February in different cities across the world in a tour tagged, ‘Basket Mouth Unprovoked’, and this year is no different as he's currently holding this year's edition. 

The tour began on February 12, 2023, in Manchester, United Kingdom, and would end on February 28 in Cologne, Germany.

However, the funnyman has not deemed it fit to consider adjusting his shows' schedules to participate in Nigeria's Presidential Elections which come up once in four years. 

CityNews recall that Basketmouth didn't participate in the 2019 general elections because he was on a tour when the elections were held. 

His apathy was noticed after he Slammed some of his celebrity colleagues who were outside Nigeria during the 2015 general elections. 

He had written,  “Now, I don’t know which celebs are worse; the ones that were out of the country during the election or the ones that campaigned for Goodluck Jonathan. Lol.”

However, netizens have been coming for the comedian's head following one of the shows that would be held today February 25, 2023, and clashing with the presidential election.

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A Twitter user, Bright Akokwu, had questioned the comedian’s decision to hold a tour during the country’s election period. 

On January 11, 2023, the Twitter user wrote, “Great ingenuity displayed. However, you should be in Nigeria on February 25, casting your vote. That is patriotism. Don’t play indifferently in this election. Encourage patriotism by voting and leading others too. Peace!”

Reacting to the netizen, Basketmouth explained why he should not be faulted for disregarding Nigeria's Presidential Elections. 

He said, “I have been hosting my United Kingdom tour every February for the past 12 years. Interestingly, there have been times when the elections coincided with my shows. Unfortunately, the Independent National Electoral Commission has never deemed it fit to check with me before fixing the date for the elections. Since I picked February to host my tour first, I think it is only fair for me to go ahead with the dates.”

Opinion

CityNews sort the opinions of some Nigerians and here is what they say:

Bright has the freedom and right to exercise his civic duty or not. 

He can also apply discretion to always place the country first by taking into consideration, Nigeria's general elections, which come up once in four years, whenever he's planning his tours.