This morning, Nigerians woke up to an editorial by Punch Newspapers clearly stating that “As a symbolic demonstration of our protest against autocracy and military-style repression, PUNCH will henceforth prefix Buhari’s name with his rank as a military dictator in the 80s, Major General, and refer to his administration as a regime, until they purge themselves of their insufferable contempt for the rule of law.”

While many of President Buhari’s aides have risen in his support, Nigerians on social media are also sharing their opinions on the development.

See all the reactions below.

Unconsciously, people always go back to what used to work for them.

The regime of General Buhari or General Muhammadu Buhari is all he has, all he knows, and all he can fallback to.

Punch is not a wanna-be in this fight, they knew him even as a Major General back in 1983-1985 pic.twitter.com/39tyM3OMdh

— AyeMojubar (@ayemojubar) December 11, 2019

Major General Buhari, the deceptively amiable gap-toothed dictator at the head of the Nigerian regime notorious for human rights abuses and crimes against the economy. https://t.co/eOY5VNo2ot

— The Writer Formerly Known As Elnathan (@elnathan_john) December 11, 2019

I stan Major General Muhammadu Buhari. Commander In Chief Of The Federal Republic Of Nigeria. pic.twitter.com/j8u9VIe1re

— Brigadier General A. Scott (@ASIWAJUAS_) December 11, 2019

They think calling him a General is a shame
He’s a General, he earned it. We voted a major General to deal with hardened criminals in Nigeria. Please help us remind @MBuhari that we want Gen Buhari back, the only Nigerian leader alive with no Treasury Looting/Criminal Record.

— Gen Lefty Against Rogues (@kakra68) December 11, 2019

Dear @MobilePunch, you've led the way. We'll follow.

Moving forward, I will, in line with your well considered patriotic defiance to tyranny, also prefix Buhari with either Major-General/General.

I will also refer to his 'administration' as regime.

Nigeria will defeat trynany.

— Nedu Ekeke #BBOG (@Nedunaija) December 11, 2019

How can calling some one a Major General be a bad thing? Don’t we all wish we are called General? Even better if you earned it? Who did all of us became a supporter of? I don’t know about y’all but I started Supporting General Buhari, Not President Buhari pic.twitter.com/DHlmiouTIT

— Mu’awiyyah Muye (@MP_Muye) December 11, 2019

Thank you @MobilePunch! Can other Nigerian newspapers join this protest against Major-General Muhammadu Buhari's dictatorial regime? No sitting on the fence. It is time to stand on the right side of history! pic.twitter.com/J7dpoJR2SU

— Ohimai Godwin Amaize (@MrFixNigeria) December 11, 2019

This is your major General.

Give him a nickname? pic.twitter.com/JzH3N2TTTW

— BENUEGIANT (@one_dosh) December 11, 2019

Dear @MobilePunch

You can use Major General, General or Field Marshal for @MBuhari because of @YeleSowore as stated in your today’s editorial.

In fact, you can use the picture below in your reportage going forward. All lawbreakers will face the consequences of their actions pic.twitter.com/bMPbIuosDI

— Tunde Eneji (@iameneji) December 11, 2019

Call him whatever you want, but no Nigerian leader in our most recent democracy has exemplified true respect for democracy and its institutions like President (Major General) Buhari has.#Thread pic.twitter.com/7mOoIQia0u

— Dr. Thompson Udenwa (@TomUdenwa) December 11, 2019

Lol I remember that year when they said GEJ is a weak man he cannot control his wife,has Major General Buhari been able to control Aisha Buhari?everyday she has fight with mamman daura.and no one is talking about Buhari not being able to control his wife,lol GEj suffered sha

— Dappa Brown (@Dappab) December 11, 2019

Pls do not be distracted by the war of personal aggrandizement between Aisha Buhari, Mamman Daura & Garba Shehu.

Twitter today is for @MobilePunch's bold move to stand up to the autocratic regime of the day by henceforth designating Buhari 'Major-General', no longer 'President'.

— Fisayo Soyombo (@fisayosoyombo) December 11, 2019