It is entirely unfortunate that the El-Rufai scandal has wrecked havoc on one of Africa’s leading literary platforms
Brittle Paper fired Otosirieze Obi-Young over his report on El Rufai’s wife comments on her son’s gang-rape threat.
The editor and founder of Brittle Paper, Aniehi Edoro said she did not feel too comfortable with an article written by the Deputy Editor, Otosirieze.
In the article Otosirieze criticized Hadiza El-Rufai, the wife of Nasir El-rufai, Governor of Kaduna after she supported her son when he publicly made threats on twitter to gang rape a young man’s mother.
Brittle Paper released a statement saying that the article was pulled down because it did not meet the editorial standard.
Otosirieze said that despite editing the article as Aniehi instructed she still called him and informed him that she was pulling down the whole article completely and fired him from his position, Otosirieze released a statement on his personal blog saying, “Removing me from Brittle Paper is part of the political agenda to subsume Nigerian literature and make it difficult to be an honest writer here. Their takeover is now complete.”
Chibuihe Obi, a writer/contributor to Brittle Paper who also won the platform’s anniversary award also released a statement demanding that his works be pulled down from the platform.
” I am publicly rescinding the award Brittle Paper gave me in 2017 and will forthwith return the cash that came with the prize. i have written to ainehi edoro to demand that my works be pulled from their site.” Chibuihe wrote in a post he made on his facebook page.
” To say that I am disappointed in Brittle Paper is to understate my despair at the loss of a promising voice for literature. There’s absolutely no excuse for this other than a crude self-serving attempt to protect powerful interests. This cop-out at a seminal moment is a disgrace.
Nigerian literature is trash. Period.
Let me suggest this to readers of conscience: Boycott Brittle Paper until its “high” editorial standards stand up for justice and the truth, and do not coddle despots, genocide enablers and rapists. Do not read Brittle Paper until it apologizes for protecting thugs like Elrufai. ” US based Nigerian literary critique, Ikhide Roland wrote stating his disappointment at Brittle Paper.
Brittle Paper has now come under heavy criticism from Nigerians on social media as more writers have disassociated themselves from the platform and asked that their works be pulled down.
Could this be the end of Brittle Paper?
Some tweets below:
I guess this is where my respect with Brittle Paper ends. A platform that protects rape culture doesn't deserve my respect.
You did the right thing @Otosirieze and posterity will always remember you for being the one that documented. https://t.co/8XOYT2URsS— Kiki Mordi (@kikimordi) April 15, 2020
My final word on Brittle Paper shame… In the words of Lagos philosopher Brymo: Person wey befriend rat e go chop shit. pic.twitter.com/Vn6DweKc18
— Elnathan John (@elnathan_john) April 15, 2020
I felt so sad reading this statement.
I’ll be writing to the editor to withdraw my published work “Ordeal” and “For When we Remember the Dead” from @brittlepaper
I wish you the best for the future Otosirieze, and thank you ❤️❤️❤️ https://t.co/W3Nv1eGMNo
— Farida Adamu (@thefaridaadamu) April 15, 2020
From today and until a change in circumstances occurs, I no longer desire to have Brittlepaper appear as one of the publication credits in my writers' bio.
I will also be seeking that my short story, "Coming To Terms", be withdrawn from the platform, in light of current events
— IFEANYI (@J_Chiemeke) April 15, 2020
When Elnathan called out the rot in the African literary scene & how many of them have become a bunch of bootlickers for politicians, R. Meyer caught the shade & attacked him. A few days ago, she defended El Rufai’s son’s gang-rape threats. Today, Brittle Paper showed themselves.
— Doreen Uloma N. (@ulomareen) April 15, 2020
Brittle Paper is cancelled.
In this 2020 we are still caving to threats from bullies who don't want anybody to talk about their animalistic behaviour, even when it was on full public display. https://t.co/FJUwm0Cess
— Moonborn 🌕 (@sugabelly) April 15, 2020
This Brittle Paper drama shows that in Nigeria you must shrink yourself and eat a lot of ass before you are allowed even the tiniest platform to speak.
The take over is complete and it is tragic and ugly. Kudos to Otosirieze & all those who refuse to be compromised.
— Ukamaka Olisakwe (@MsOlisakwe) April 15, 2020
This is sad. There is now an open war against human rights and social justice by those who fancy themselves as gatekeepers of African literature. They have aligned themselves with the political elite. The decision makers at @brittlepaper should hang their heads in shame. https://t.co/4LtO36uZWB
— Ayo Sogunro – #Transformist (@ayosogunro) April 15, 2020
The end of Brittle paper.
— Ayobami (@dondekojo) April 15, 2020
What hurts the most is that @Otosirieze made @brittlepaper the face of queer literature from Nigeria. A lot of us published with Brittle Paper because he was there.
— Romeo Oriogun (@SonOfOlokun) April 15, 2020
What hurts the most is that @Otosirieze made @brittlepaper the face of queer literature from Nigeria. A lot of us published with Brittle Paper because he was there.
— Romeo Oriogun (@SonOfOlokun) April 15, 2020
By pushing out it's Deputy Editor for criticizing the Gov's son for threatening rape, is Brittle Paper founded and run by a WOMAN now supporting the gangrape of women and the killings of an ethnic group?
Does Brittle Paper benefit from that sham KADAFEST?https://t.co/qzuR9yiYDw
— Ikenna Ronald Nzimora (@ronaldnzimora) April 15, 2020
I will seriously judge any writer that works with brittle paper from now on. It’s absolutely insane.
— Ayobami (@dondekojo) April 15, 2020
With recent developments, one can only conclude that publications like @brittlepaper is complicit in the silencing and censoring of writers in Nigeria. Is Brittle paper against the freedom of expression as provided for in S 39 of the constitution?
— Omolara – #Transformist (@Laraoriye) April 15, 2020
Otosirieze's statement on leaving Brittle Paper reminds me of the reason I chose journalism: to have a voice. It allows one to have opinions and perspectives – no matter how wild and unpopular. Once we start silencing that voice (to please), it's no longer journalism; it's PR.
— yusra (@khadijasanusi_) April 15, 2020
