COVID-19: Nigerians React As Naira Marley Performs At Abuja Concert, Disobeying Flight Ban And Social Distancing

Many Nigerians have reacted to a viral video showing Singer Naira Marley and his fans disobeying COVID-19 social distancing guidelines during a drive-in concert that took place in Abuja on Saturday night. 

Marley performed at the concert on Saturday night after he flew into the Federal Capital Territory in a private jet alongside ex-BBNaija housemate, Kim Oprah, who hosted the event, despite ban on interstate movement and flights.

The federal government had announced that only flights used for transporting essential goods and evacuating nationals of different countries are allowed in the airports till further notice.

However, Marley and his fans appears to have defied all existing COVID-19 guidelines during the concert which was meant to be a drive-in concert – attendees are meant to enjoy the concert from the comfort of their cars parked at the venue of the event.

Many Nigerians on Twitter have criticized Naira Marley for his actions, while others question the authorities for allowing a concert despite increasing cases of coronavirus in Nigeria.

See some mixed reactions below;

They restricted inter state travel yet Naira Marley still found a way to teleport himself and his team from Lagos to Abuja 👏🏽

— E-zrael Ani (@EzraelAni) June 14, 2020

You want the government that constantly breaks their own rules to arrest Naira Marley for breaking their rules…?

— Engineer Tolu Tezzy_ 💧 (@tolutezzy_) June 14, 2020

Why should Naira Marley (who seem to like so much walaha) be arrested again when we watched on TV how several government officials who work with the president flout the lockdown rules and nothing happened to them? The Aisha Buhari issue is also about an SA flying around.

— Dr. Dípò Awójídé (@OgbeniDipo) June 14, 2020

Naira Marley had a proper concert in Abuja last night, hosted by KimOprah

It was supposed to be a drive in concert, but how do you expect people to gbese inside their car? I can’t even see anyone putting on mask. Sigh pic.twitter.com/zpDqMZ1za9

— Biyi The Plug 🔌 (@BiyiThePlug) June 14, 2020

At this point, should we say Naira Marley is stupid for hold a concert during the pandemic period?

Should we also say the fans that went to the concert are also simps.

— Instablog9ja (@instabIog9ja) June 14, 2020

So there was a concert that happened in Lagos just like the Naira Marley Abuja concert.

It was monitored, regulated & social distancing was observed.

The crowd in Abuja was unruly because of lack of government officials like the Lagos State Safety Commission . #MoreDriveInShows

— Beauty 🦋 (@Sanderss35) June 14, 2020

Naira Marley did not force anybody to attend the concert. what is the work of FCT Authorities ???. The organizer should be hold responsible for this action!!!
pic.twitter.com/Pmnnihd0Wm

— Sinzu Kobz ❼ (@Mistakobz) June 14, 2020

I know Naira Marley stays in Lagos and not Abuja. How did he fly to Abuja when there’s still a travel ban in Nigeria?

— Mazi Olisaemeka C. ™ (@OlisaOsega) June 14, 2020

Naira Marley had a concert in Abuja in the middle of a pandemic and the place was packed full of people

Do people not care about their lives or they don’t believe covid-19 is real?

— Instablog9ja (@instablog9ja) June 14, 2020

Many are saying Who’s the president between Naira Marley and Buhari cos they don’t understand what happened at Abuja yesterday 🙄

The citizens are jst stubborn for no reason. Even Trump no fit hold Americans that lead protests. 🤣

Remember Funke Akindele case was not up to dis!

— M i a 🧣 (@sisimiaa) June 14, 2020

So KimOprah hosted Naira Marley’s concert yesterday but will be wearing nose masks at bbnaija reunion. Interesting 🤔

— Arizona (@_MzJayde) June 14, 2020

Naira Marley was at Funke Akindele’s house during total lockdown.

He was at Abuja during interstate ban.

He performed at a concert even though it’s prohibited at the moment.

Don’t tell me bullshit, that guy might look like a sickler but he get mind. No mannaz

— Lola Okunrin (@lollypeezle) June 14, 2020

Even those that has been travelling irrespective of the inter-state travel ban are acting surprised and angry cos Naira Marley travelled from Lagos to Abuja. Baba even used PJ, una still dey rant. E be tings o.

— IZY 💎|| Israel (@izybaby01) June 14, 2020

nAiRa mARleY iS a cUlTurAL sYmBOl oF yOuTH rEbElLioN

— Fritz (@chaotictwitch) June 14, 2020

How bad I wished all these were happening in Rivers State.

I know where exactly Wike would have put all of these Covidiots.

— HENRY O (@GidiLover) June 14, 2020

Government should stop paying for covid test and treatment for Nigerians, because majority even those in power are not taking responsibility.
If u are sick go to hospital, if u are diagnosed of covid pay for your treatment.

— Mora-O (@MoraOgo) June 14, 2020

This is a matter of health and national security. We can’t keep allowing anarchy and disorder to thrive simply because some members of the elite class evaded the law. We are undoing ourselves.

Just like saying “spare fraudsters since we haven’t dealt with corrupt politicians.”

— Kolawole – R2 92.9FM (@KolawoleFalodun) June 14, 2020

This Naira Marley issue is another reason why you shouldn’t die for Nigerians.
We are still complaining about @MBuhari nonchalant PA committing what is tantamount to a Public Health treason & some of you went to scatter body & saliva at a concert.
Na zombie pandemic fit us here

— Seun Nuės (@daemperor007) June 14, 2020

Please why wasn’t this same energy applied to Mayorkun’a drive through concert or is it because it is Naira Marley, I am not a fan but I dislike double standards

— buffbonny (@cupofcapucinno) June 14, 2020

This was how Funke Akindele’s case started, lyk play lyk play…
Naira Marley organised a concert, “people” turned up, not asif he dragged anybdy from his/her house…. Shu!!!
People on this app can Sha rant.
By the way, the country is open 4 business, argue with Prs Bubu

— Illuminated ♐ (@seemeonjaymz) June 14, 2020

Funke Akindele – Crucify her.
Naira Marley – It’s not his fault, the country is lawless.

E ti ya werey all together.

— AyeMojubar (@ayemojubar) June 14, 2020

It would be recalled that Naira Marley was arrested in April alongside former governorship aspirant in Lagos State, Babatunde Gbadamosi for attending a party organized by Nollywood actress Funke Akindele and her husband, JJC Skillz, which was a violation of lockdown rules in Lagos state. 

Read Also: Lockdown Violation: Arraignment of Naira Marley, Former Governorship Candidate Gbadamosi Delayed

The actress and her husband were also arrested and were sentenced to 14 days community service and ordered to each pay N200,000 fine.

Watch a video of the ‘drive-in’ concert below;

They thought abuja people were going to gbese inside car at a Naira marley concert, leemaoo 😂 pic.twitter.com/0jW78f6CBR

— SOUNDSMITH🗯 (@Dj_borsh) June 13, 2020