\BBC Africa is currently receiving backlash for describing Akinwumi Adesina as a flamboyant Nigerian banker.
The development followed Adesina’s re-election as the president of the African Development Bank (AfDB) on Thursday.
Adesina, who was first elected on May 28, 2015, will start his new five-year term on September 1, 2020.
Hours after his announcement as winner, BBC Africa sent a tweet on its verified handle.
JUST IN: Adesina Re-Elected As AfDB President
“Flamboyant Nigerian banker Akinwumi Adesina has been re-elected chairman of the African Development Bank (AfDB) after weathering a political storm over allegations of corruption,” the tweet read.
https://twitter.com/BBCAfrica/status/1299015453629722625?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1299015453629722625%7Ctwgr%5E&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thecable.ng%2Fits-questionable-nigerians-on-twitter-hit-bbc-for-describing-adesina-as-flamboyant-banker
The post, as of the time of this report, has been retweeted over 1,500 times, and has 884 likes and 869 replies, many of which are reactions from people criticising the choice of words used to describe Adesina.
Tolu Ogunlesi, special assistant on digital/new media to President Muhammadu Buhari, was among those who criticised the post.
Buhari Nominates Adesina For Re-Election
“Who signed off on this? This is far from BBC standard. 1. What’s the “flamboyant” doing here? 2. “Banker” is hardly the way to describe his professional life. 3. “President” of AfDB, not “Chairman”. Or are you people now into parody ni?” Ogunlesi asked.
Below are more reactions.
Who signed off on this? This is far from BBC standard.
1. What’s the “flamboyant” doing here?
2. “Banker” is hardly the way to describe his professional life.
3. “President” of AfDB, not “Chairman”
Or are you people now into parody ni? https://t.co/IoHzIWpN8n
— Tolu Ogunlesi (@toluogunlesi) August 27, 2020
https://twitter.com/BBCAfrica/status/1299015453629722625?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1299023029398364163%7Ctwgr%5E&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thecable.ng%2Fits-questionable-nigerians-on-twitter-hit-bbc-for-describing-adesina-as-flamboyant-banker
By "flamboyant" are you implying "less than sober"?
Or "more sizzle than steak"?
Or are you subconsciously implying that his sartorial splendor diminishes his competence?
Or that his nice suits hide professional deficiencies?Churchill used to wear bowties. Was he flamboyant?
— BST Ventures (@yrubored) August 27, 2020
Resist the urge. https://t.co/iE5vN4vUJL
— JJ. Omojuwa (@Omojuwa) August 27, 2020
https://twitter.com/BBCAfrica/status/1299015453629722625?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1299066371050012672%7Ctwgr%5E&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thecable.ng%2Fits-questionable-nigerians-on-twitter-hit-bbc-for-describing-adesina-as-flamboyant-banker
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