People Blame Me For My Father’s Actions, Buhari’s Daughter Laments

President Muhammadu Buhari’s daughter, Zahra Indimi, has
lamented that many Nigerians attack her on social media for
decisions solely taken by her father.

She said she prays for those who bully her online because she
has learnt to move on with life.

Zahra made the statement at the first edition of “An Afternoon
with Zahra”, an event organised in Abuja by her foundation, ZMB
Homes, tagged #ConversationWithZahra, The Interview reports.

The event, which cost N10,000 per person, attracted several
young persons.

Speaking on her experience with cyber bullies and how she
developed confidence to handle them, Zahra wondered why people
attack her over issues of governance though she is not in office
with her father.

Narrating her story she said, “2015 was when I knew what
bullying was. It started with my photos going viral. I was actually
having a yoga class and I was sweating but people were busy sending
my pictures up and down. People used it for their gain during the
campaign.

“But the issue changed the way people looked at my dad because
they didn’t know that we were educated, we could speak English, and
we could dress. So it changed a few things for good. It showed
another light. People then understood that in the North not
everybody is illiterate.

“The 2015 elections went well. After 100 days, then the blow
started coming. ‘Zahra your father did this… Zahra your father did
that. But seriously, am I in office with him? Do I take any vital
decision?

“Did you understand why some decisions are being taken? When I
post my picture, it is my picture. It is not your child’s picture.
I kept wondering why people do this to me constantly.”

She asked victims of cyber bullying not to be intimidated by
hateful persons, adding that many unfavourable comments were made
out of envy.

Zahra added, “I know we have people who are victims here. So to
be honest, if you are a victim you need to feel sorry for those
people; they want to be where you are and they are not there. So
they will try to pull you down. Would you let them pull you down?
No. You need to know that you have the values that someone also
wants.”

On the social media regulation bill, which has passed second
reading in the Senate, Zahra said she supports fair regulation of
social media, “but we have to see and understand the content of the
present social media regulation bill.”

She added, “Whatever it is, you need to understand and know the
implication of the bill. So that’s what we need to do as young
people. We need to research more, understand what is going on
instead of just making silly comments every now and then and
blaming people for no reason. So I am in support of regulations,
but fair regulations.”