The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar, on Friday came under fire on social media after he condemned the murder of a Nigerian man, Abdulsamad Lawani, in Germany.
The former vice president’s action angered Nigerians, who referred to the gruesome killing of Deborah Samuel, a Christian 200-level student of Shehu Shagari College of Education Sokoto, who was killed by fellow students in May 2022, for allegedly blaspheming Prophet Muhammad.
Atiku had condemned Deborah’s death but later deleted the tweet hours after and took to his Facebook page to justify his actions.
Condemning Deborah’s death, a tweet via Atiku’s verified page had read, “There cannot be a justification for such gruesome murder. Deborah Yakubu was murdered and all those behind her death must be brought to justice. My condolences to her family and friends.”
However, in a message on his verified Hausa page, the former Vice President distanced himself from the deleted tweet. He also stated that any message on social media without the initials “A. A.” was not his.
“This evening I received information that a post was made that doesn’t agree with my orders. I use this to announce that any post without A. A. is not from me. May God protect us,” he wrote in Hausa language.
READ MORE: Atiku told to defend health status, corruption by SPV
In a swift turn of events, Atiku on Friday took to both his Twitter and Facebook pages to condemn the death of the German-based Nigerian, Lawani, although the circumstances surrounding the death were not revealed.
The former vice president wrote, “It is with deep pain that I learnt of the gruesome murder of a young Nigerian in Germany, Abdulsamad Lawani. My thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends and the Diaspora at this time of grief. May his soul rest in peace, -A.A.”
Following his condemnation message, a tweep, S. Kabiru wrote, “Every four year looking for vote’s empathy. Once you lose now you’ll shut down again like Ajaokuta. May the soul of the faithful departed find repose.”
Another tweep, Sochi, wrote, “What about the gruesome murder of Deborah?? Your account is usually active every four years.”
A tweep, Akparawa Wilson, wrote, “I personally can’t take you serious except you bring back this tweet (the deleted tweet condemning Deborah’s death),” sharing a picture of the now deleted tweet.
Another tweep, Savage God, who wrote in Pidgin English said, “Make una dey see hypocrite of the highest order. See…way dey form him care, same man who deleted tweet about the murder of DEBORAH some few months ago. Baba…Nigerians eye don open reach back.”
However, Atiku during the Channels Television people’s town hall meeting in December explained why he deleted the tweet where he condemned Deborah’s murder.
He again stated that he deleted his tweet condemning the murder of Deborah because the tweet was shared without his approval.
