AfriPulse
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, has berated activist and African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore, saying he is “lucky” to have called President Bola Ahmed Tinubu a “criminal” and remain free.
Wike Praises Tinubu for Adherence to Rule of Law
Wike made the remarks during the flag-off of the Arterial Road N1 construction project in Wuye on Thursday.
He said that Sowore might not have been treated the same way under a different leadership, praising President Tinubu’s adherence to the rule of law.
The FCT Minister referred to a tweet by Sowore on August 25, in which the activist described the President as a “criminal,” citing a video from Tinubu’s visit to Brazil where he claimed that corruption no longer exists under his administration.
Sowore’s tweet read: “This criminal @officialpbat actually went to Brazil to state that there is no more corruption under his regime in Nigeria. What audacity to lie shamelessly!”
Responding to the tweet, Wike said;
“This is a country where somebody on social media will say Mr. President is a criminal; nothing will happen. You say all kinds of things you want to say, but nothing will happen. You are lucky to have a President who believes in the rule of law. Continue to be lucky. There are those you will meet that you won’t be lucky again.”
Wike also drew comparisons with other countries, adding:
“No matter how people criticise Trump, have you ever seen any American citizen on social media, or in public, call their President a criminal? But here, anybody can wake up in the morning and abuse the President, and we are happy. You are lucky you have a President who believes in the rule of law.”
Sowore Faces Criminal Charges Over Tweet
The controversial tweet led the Department of State Services (DSS) to file criminal charges against Sowore for defamation, citing breaches of Nigeria’s Cybercrimes and Terrorism Prevention laws.
The DSS also requested that social media platforms, including X and Meta, remove the tweet, labeling it a threat to national security and public order.
Sowore, however, refused to delete the post, calling the DSS action “despicable” and an attempt to silence dissent.
Source: Gistreel | Read the Full Story…
