Following the negative reception by the public of his comments on his absence among the recognized personalities for their role in the success of the 2023 African Cup of Nations (CAN) in Ivory Coast, Ivorian influencer Apoutchou National addressed his followers on his Facebook page. On February 28th, his original message sparked a wave of negative reactions due to the tone that was considered inappropriate.
In response to the public’s reaction, the influencer chose to post new statements on February 29th. In a detailed post, he expressed his regret and apologized to the Ivorian people. As the son of the well-known comedienne Brigitte Bleu, Apoutchou seeks to calm tensions and to acknowledge his initial mistake.
“Hello to my nation, I hope you’re doing well! First and foremost, I come to present my apologies for my post from yesterday which did not necessarily please everyone. I should have thought it through and given the benefit of the doubt before acting, but I was guided by my emotions and I didn’t think much before making that post, something that I quickly corrected by deleting the post 3 minutes later but people had already taken screenshots. Today, I saw several messages online saying ‘who are you to get honored, what have you done for CAN, who have you mobilized’, I see posts belittling me and everything, know that you are right. I did nothing for CAN. You have shown me my true place and from now on I will know how to conduct myself on this platform,” he wrote.
Furthermore, Apoutchou National, who was really affected by the attacks from netizens, has decided to step back and to focus on what is truly essential in his life: his career, his family, his children, and his foundation. “You won’t see me intervening in anything anymore, 3 years of my life fighting by your side, 3 years of my life trying my best to voice your dissatisfaction, is this how you repay me? Frankly, thank you,” he added.
The son of Brigitte Bleu concluded by stating: “I also announce to you that the Apoutchou National you knew with videos taking a stand no longer exists. You will get to know the new Apoutchou in the coming days. Just stay connected. Finally, congratulations to all the artists and influencers of Ivory Coast who have been honored.“
