FG Opens Up On Bailing Peter Obi From UK Detention

The Nigerian Federal Government has refuted the claims that it played a part in securing the release of Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi after he was mistakenly detained at Heathrow Airport in London last week.

The social media was abuzz with a photoshopped image showing the executive chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, seated in an office alongside Peter Obi and a UK law enforcement officer.

The image suggested that the APC-led government through Abike Dabiri intervened to secure Peter Obi’s release.

However, the spokesperson and head of the Media, Public Relations, and Protocol Unit of NiDCOM, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, denied that Abike Dabiri was in the UK or had any role in securing the release of Peter Obi. He described the viral photo as a media stunt.

Adamu Garba, a former presidential aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC), had shared the photoshopped image on Twitter, claiming that the government facilitated Peter Obi’s release.

Here is how the government of APC helped to recover Peter Obi from his detention cell in the UK over allegations of traveling to the UK with fake documents. All thanks to Abike Dabiri.

His campaign fake, manifesto fake, his motives fake, even his travel documents are fake. WHY? pic.twitter.com/CVNOiAwP0E

— Adamu Garba II (@adamugarba) April 13, 2023

However, his tweet attracted criticism from social media users who accused him of spreading false information.

Bashir Ahmad, an aide of President Muhammadu Buhari, also implied that the Federal Government played a role in securing Peter Obi’s release in a tweet.

He commended Abike Dabiri for her intervention, but he did not provide any evidence to support his claim.

I heard Aunty @AbikeDabiri has done it for the Compatriot that needed her intervention in the UK. God bless you and the services you have been rendering for our countrymen and women, especially this recent one, ma’am!

— Bashir Ahmad (@BashirAhmaad) April 13, 2023

Peter Obi, the former governor of Anambra state, had traveled to the UK to celebrate Easter when he was detained at the airport.

He was released after UK authorities realized that he was not the person they were looking for.

The Nigerian government’s denial of involvement in Peter Obi’s release has put an end to the speculations surrounding the incident.

The photoshopped image had caused confusion and had generated controversy on social media.

It is important to note that spreading false information on social media can cause harm to individuals and institutions. It is essential to verify the accuracy of information before sharing it on social media platforms.