What my comedy will be like when Buhari leaves power – MC Tagwaye

Obinna Simon, popularly known as MC Tagwaye, is a comedian famous for imitating President Muhammadu Buhari. In this interview, he talks about his career in the aftermath of Buhari’s tenure, comedy after marriage to Hauwa Uwais, daughter of a special adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on social investments, Maryam Uwais, and more. Excerpts: WM: How […]

Obinna Simon, popularly known as MC Tagwaye, is a comedian famous for imitating President Muhammadu Buhari. In this interview, he talks about his career in the aftermath of Buhari’s tenure, comedy after marriage to Hauwa Uwais, daughter of a special adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on social investments, Maryam Uwais, and more. Excerpts:

WM: How has getting married influenced your work as a comedian so far?

MC Tagwaye: It’s all about grace. I wasn’t a comedian from the onset. Being an MC and comedian was a side job for me. I was a classroom teacher for over seven years. I did that back then to support my teaching job. I am currently into businesses such as farming, buying and selling.

However, many people know me as a comedian even though due to COVID-19, holding gatherings has become impossible because it can lead to its spread and unfortunately, comedy has to do with crowds. There are no shows going on, so it’s difficult to gauge that impact for now. So far so good, I think getting married is one of the best decisions I have made in my entire life.

WM: What would you say inspires the material you use for your comedy?

Tagwaye: My material comes from the day-to-day activities of the government, mainly political activities.

WM: What is it like creating material for your work at this present time considering the fact that you are now married?

Tagwaye: Before now, I would be alone in my room trying to create something. But now I have someone by my side. When I develop a material, my wife is now there to either add or subtract to what I have. This is a plus for me.

WM: What is your typical day like?

Tagwaye: The moment I wake up for prayers, I hardly go back to sleep. There is a program I always watch in the morning, either on Channels Television or TVC, to keep myself up to date with events in the country. That is what I do until 9 o’clock. By 9:30am I have my breakfast and then maybe drive out to the farm where I keep animals like cows and goats, or visit the crop farm.

WM: You are known to be famous for mimicking the president. What happens when he is no longer in power?

Tagwaye: It won’t affect anything. I can choose to continue mimicking President Buhari or not. When his tenure is over, it will not stop him from commenting on issues pertaining to the country.

WM: Do you see yourself mimicking another president asides Buhari?

Tagwaye: There is nobody I cannot mimic, but it depends on whether I want to or not, and I haven’t come to that decision yet. I cannot be mimicking people for the rest of my life. I would also want somebody to mimic me someday.

WM: There was a speech you made during the early days of the coronavirus pandemic in the country when Nigerians were anxious to hear the president address the nation. How were you able to put it together so much that people confused you for the president?

Tagwaye: This is what we do. Most of the time we like to improve on what we have done in the past. A lot of Nigerians were saying the president was silent. One of the most amazing things is that, in most of my skits, it’s exactly what the president may say that I end up saying. Sometimes people feel like I have sat and discussed with the president. But that is not the case. It only reveals the level at which I have studied him and mastered, not only his gestures and voice, but his mannerism and reasoning.

WM: How do you relax when you aren’t working?

Tagwaye: I like to go to my ranch where I sometimes ride a horse.