Atiku: Why I Deleted Tweet On Deborah’s Death In May

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has addressed the deletion of a tweet condemning the murder of a female student, Deborah Samuel, in a school in Sokoto, for alleged blasphemy on May 12.

Speaking in an interview with media personality, Seun Okin, Atiku noted that his stance remained the same as his previous, noting the tweet didn’t get the necessary approval from him before it was sent out.

He further cleared the air condemning the murder stating the tenets of Islam don’t permit unjust killing.

He said, “I condemned it (murder). There is nowhere it is said or there is an injunction in the Islamic faith that you can go and take someone’s life. It has to be through due process.”

While some Nigerians share his sentiment, some, however, have expressed their displeasure towards his reson.

A tweep @maaziakuchie stated Atiku’s response was “embarrassing, callous, heartless, selfish, cold-blooded and insensitive… Absolutely nonsensical response. Atiku is a joke. A fraud that should never be trusted with power he is so desperate for.”

Another tweep, @DaCityBoss wrote “You ask them to delete it as that is not your stance on the issue ,whats anything wrong with the tweet ? so why ask to delete ,simply because you did not approve the tweet.if we miss Obi these people go suffer us .They clearly have no good intention”

In a similar vein, @JohnDoeSimon1 queries Atiku’s intention stating “Did the tweet condemning the killing of Deborah contradict your position of her murder? If not, why was it deleted if was in line with your position? You can’t fool everyone. I will NEVER VOTE FOR YOU!!!”

READ ALSO: It Would Be Suicidal Returning APC To Power In 2023 – Northern Awareness

The official Spokesman for the APC Presidential campaign, Festus Keyamo, also joined in the sentiment stating “This is the most cunning reply from a cunning politician: ‘I deleted the tweet because I did not authorise it, but I subsequently condemned the murder’. A simple google search does not show any subsequent CLEAR condemnation. And then the BIG QUESTION: Why not restore the tweet?”

Meanwhile, @Somidotun7 opines Atiku’s response is enough and the controversies surrounding his stance should be laid to rest. The tweet reads “I honestly think bringing up this question over and again is nothing short of mischief and pettiness. Except anyone can prove that he approved the killing of Deborah, his response about condemning it is enough and should put it to bed forever”

@Isaac62946167 reiterated Atiku had said it over time that all tweets must go through him for approval. “His Excellency @atiku has said it many times with a good heart that all posts must get approval from him , that’s the simple truth. Let’s not forget the promise of APC in 2014. They failed us, remember this Christmas one bag of rice is 54000. AA has never promised and failed,” his tweet reads.

On May 12, Muslim classmates of Miss Deborah Yakubu, a second-year female student at Shehu Shagari College of Education in Sokoto, killed and set her ablaze for reportedly insulting the Prophet Mohammed on WhatsApp.

On May 13, Atiku posted a message on his verified Twitter account, @Atiku, denouncing the act and urging the capture of those responsible for the murder.

He said in one tweet, “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.”