Tinubu’s sudden effort for release of Ekweremadu politically motivated — Mahdi Shehu

Mahdi Shehu, a social critic and activist, said, President Bola Tinubu’s sudden quest for the release of the former Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu was politically motivated.

He urged Nigerians not to see it as having humanitarian concern, but a strategic political calculation ahead of 2027 general election.

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Mahdi posted on his verified X (formerly Twitter) handle on Tuesday, saying Tinubu’s plan to set up a high-powered delegation to visit the United Kingdom to negotiate for the transfer of Ekweremadu from UK prison where he is currently serving his jail terms to Nigeria was nothing short of political calculation and not out of empathy.

He wrote: “President Tinubu suddenly woke up from his diplomatic slumber and remembered Ekweremadu, who has been in prison since his conviction in 2023 for organ trafficking.”

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He said Nigeria does not have a High Commissioner whose responsibility it was to negotiate through diplomatic channels, wondering how possible Tinubu’s effort will yield results.

According to him, the opportunity available for Ekweremadu was lost a long time ago, adding that the UK justice system is watertight. Adding “that the only realistic option left for Nigeria would be to explore a prisoner transfer agreement”, if such a treaty exists and has been executed between both countries.

“My take is that Tinubu is using the Jamboree trip to signal care and concern because the election is approaching, and Ekweremadu is the only visible Ndi-Igbo not yet ‘on the train’ from Bombay to Goa. With him on board, Ndi-Igbo will be finally captured,” he wrote.

He also contended that other Nigerians convicted or detained abroad would not receive similar attention, as their release would hold little political value for the President. “Such is the visible miscalculation,” Mahdi Shehu added.

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