Nigerian betting offer backfires on bookie

Nigerian bookmaker Naija Bet was left back-peddling and apologising this week after offering bets on whether the ailing Nigerian president, Muhammadu Buhari, would return to Nigeria from treatment in London.

The company claims it did not intend to disrespect the president, and its offer was misinterpreted by the media, saying in a Twitter explanation:

“We would just like to put this on record, Nigerians want their president back, we are only trying to voice the yearning of the people via the little platform we have. We want to show the president and the government that the people are anxious for his wellbeing and anticipate his early return (hence the short window dates as betting options).”

Media reports from Nigeria indicate that there has been extensive speculation on the nature of the president’s ailment and when he would return; this was heightened when the president’s jet, which had been on standby in London, reportedly left without the president.

Naija Bet jumped on the speculative interest and offered bets on the president’s likely return date, but this was misinterpreted as disrespect for the 74-year-old politician.

The president’s office has repeatedly noted that Buhari will only return when his medical advisers have cleared him for travel.