Dele Farotimi: Atiku, Wike’s aides trade tackle on X
The aides of former Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, on Wednesday traded tackle over the arrest of human rights lawyer, Dele Farotimi.
Atiku’s spokesman, Paul Ibe said attempts by President Bola Tinubu’s administration to curtail freedom of speech is a throwback to the military era of dictatorship.
Men of the Nigeria Police Force from Zone 2 Command in Lagos, had arrested Farotimi following a defamation petition filed by Tony Elumelu, the Chairman of the United Bank for Africa (UBA) Group.
A day before the incident, Farotimi had raised concerns over alleged threats to his life by influential figures within Nigerian political circles.
Reacting, Ibe posted on X: “The arrest of Dele Farotimi @DeleFarotimi stands condemned. He should be unconditionally released.
“What we are witnessing under this administration, especially as it relates to efforts at curtailing freedom of speech, is a throwback to the era of military dictatorship. #ReleaseDeleFarotimi.”
However, Wike’s spokesman, Lere Olayinka condemned Ibe’s remark, accusing Atiku of ethnicity.
Responding to Ibe’s post, Olayinka wrote: “Coming from someone whose principal, because of politics and ethnicity, deleted his tweet condemning the murder of Deborah in Sokoto.”
Dele Farotimi: Atiku, Wike’s aides trade tackle on X
